Ottawa: Extremist Khalistani elements are using Canada as a base to advance their agenda and foment tensions with India, a trend Ottawa should stop, a report suggested in January.

According to Canada-based news website Western Standard, the referendum conducted by terror group Sikhs for Justice in November 2025 in Ottawa took place as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, with talks focused on trade relations, potentially undermining Canada’s foreign policy interests.

Referendum Concerns

“Canada must act to stop a future referendum, but it’s not the one in Alberta or Quebec,” the report said. It noted that a referendum campaign organised by Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistani group, has taken place with limited public attention.

Recently, over 53,000 Canadian Sikhs from Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec voted in Ottawa during the latest phase of the Khalistan Referendum, with lines reportedly stretching nearly two kilometres.

Community And Extremism

The report observed that Canada hosts one of the largest Sikh diasporas outside India, contributing significantly to politics, business, arts and community life.

However, it added that a small but vocal segment openly supports the Khalistani cause, advocating an independent Sikh state. This has led to tensions with India, which views such activities as a threat to its sovereignty and frequently criticises Canada for not curbing extremist elements.

Security And Balance

According to the report, Canadian security agencies must act firmly against Sikh extremist elements while ensuring Sikh communities are not subjected to collective punishment.

“Sikhs face enough prejudice and discrimination due to their distinctive religious attire to face accusations of ‘dual loyalty,’” it said, drawing parallels with stereotypes once faced by Jewish Canadians.

Instead, the report argued, Sikh groups should work with Canadian agencies to isolate extremists.

Citizenship Responsibility

The report further argued that Canada must demand more from citizenship, requiring new citizens to set aside old hatreds and prejudices or face citizenship revocation.

“In the meantime, politicians and security agencies must demand more from diaspora communities and stop any groups organising activities that interfere with national security and foreign policy,” it said, stressing that the approach should apply to all extremist groups, not only Sikh organisations.