Canadian Spy Agency Chief Cited Pakistan’s ‘Support’ to Khalistani Extremism Just Weeks Ago | Watch

New Delhi: Weeks before the latest faceoff between India and Canada over the probe into Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) acknowledged Pakistan 's role in supporting Khalistani extremism on Canadian soil.

The Intelligence Service also confirmed that South Asian nation also played a role in influencing Canada’s federal politics.

During a session before the Foreign Interference Commission On September 27, Vanessa Lloyd, interim director of the CSIS shared insights into Pakistan ’s involvement in foreign interference activities within Canada. The interim director of the CSIS underlined that Pakistan ’s engagement in Canadian politics is often focused at reducing the "influence of India."

Notably, Lloyd is the first woman to lead the agency.

“Engagement of Pakistan is consistently in balance with trying to reduce the influence of India,” said Lloyd, adding, “The influence of Pakistan is directly related to the support of Khalistani extremism”, signaling that India's neighboring country may be amplifying other voices and groups to further its strategic interests against it.

A video of the session featuring Lloyd has surfaced on social media as India-Canada diplomatic relations suffered a major setback after Justin Trudeau Govt on Sunday described the High commissioner of India in Canada and other Indian diplomat as 'persons of interest' in regard with Nijjar Killing probe.

Meanwhile, as the diplomatic row spiraled, both India and Canada have ordered expulsion of six diplomats.

These testimonies are part of a broader probe into foreign meddling in electoral processes in Canada, which has been a significant point of focus of public hearings initiated in January this year.

The aim of Foreign Interference Commission is to reveal the extent of foreign interference that may have impacted the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, particularly concerning the experiences of various diaspora communities in Canada.