A report by Public Safety Canada -- the arm of the Canadian government tasked with protecting Canadians and maintaining peace -- has listed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) as terrorist organisations

Khalistani extremism continues to remain a matter of "concern", says the 2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada, submitted by public safety minister Ralph Goodale, on December 11, 2018.

It is the first time that Khalistani extremism has been mentioned as a terror threat during the Justin Trudeau regime.

There has been much bitterness between India and Canada regarding the support Khalistani elements receive in Canada and the resources that are being funnelled into allowing this anti-India, secessionist movement to thrive.

The terror report card of 2018, in its executive summary addressed the very same concern regarding "support" to such elements. It said, "Furthermore, Shia and Sikh (Khalistani) extremism also remain of concern because while their attacks in Canada have been extremely limited, some Canadians continue to support these extremist groups, including through financing. At the time of publication, Canada's National Terrorism Threat Level remains at medium, as set in early October 2014 -- meaning a violent act of terrorism could occur."

In the paragraph on Sikh (Khalistani) extremism, the document highlights the support structure for a movement that causes trouble in India.

"Some individuals in Canada continue to support Sikh (Khalistani) extremist ideologies and movements. This political movement aims to create an independent homeland for Sikhs called Khalistan, in India. Violent activities in support of an independent Sikh homeland have fallen since their height during the 1982-1993 period when individuals and groups conducted numerous terrorist attacks," reads the 2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada.

Canada herself has suffered at the hands of Khalistani terrorists and it is mentioned in the report which says, "The 1985 Air India bombing by Khalistani terrorists, which killed 331 people, remains the deadliest terrorist plot ever launched in Canada. While attacks around the world in support of this movement have declined, support for the extreme ideologies of such groups remains."

In Canada, two key Sikh organizations, Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation, have been identified as being associated with terrorism and remain listed terrorist entities under the criminal code.

Interestingly, the Canadian government has yet to list other Khalistani extremist organisations like Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTF), Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA), Sikh Students Federation (SSF) and Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) besides others including Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) which have been involved in terror activities in the past. Canada only lists 1985 Air India bombing as a terror incident and claims that attacks masterminded by Khalistanis have come down.

Canada recently faced a lot of flak from India for not reining in these elements. From Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attending Sikh events where Khalistani flags were hoisted and posters of slain terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were put up to photos of the premier's wife Sophie with former Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to numerous instances where Indian diplomats have been barred from entering gurdwaras by Khalistani supporters have strained India-Canada relations.

The move of highlighting Khalistani extremism as part of the terror problem that needs addressing, will help both nations better ties and be on common ground when it comes to fighting terrorism.

(With inputs from Manjeet Sehgal)