Canada Labels India a "Cyber Adversary," New Delhi Rebukes Accusations

Tensions between India and Canada have escalated, as the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has recently identified India as a "cyber adversary" in its latest cybersecurity report. This designation places India alongside countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea on a list of nations that pose cybersecurity threats to Canada. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed these claims as baseless and accused Canada of attempting to harm India's international reputation.

The Canadian report, titled "National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026," alleges that India has developed a sophisticated cyber program aimed at advancing its national security objectives. According to the report, India likely uses its cyber capabilities for espionage, counter-terrorism, and influencing global narratives, positioning itself as an emerging power within the global cyber landscape. The report further claims that Indian state-sponsored cyber actors are actively conducting espionage against Canadian government networks.

Indian officials, however, have criticized these assertions, calling them part of a larger Canadian strategy to malign India internationally. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated, "This is another Canadian attempt to attack and discredit India without any substantiating evidence. Senior Canadian officials have openly admitted to manipulating global opinions against India."

Alleged Harassment of Indian Diplomats in Canada

In addition to cyber accusations, the Indian government has accused Canada of harassing its diplomatic staff. According to New Delhi, Indian diplomats are facing increased surveillance and intimidation in Canada, violating international diplomatic norms. "Canadian authorities have informed some of our officials that they are under audio and visual surveillance, with their communications intercepted," the foreign ministry reported, describing it as a "flagrant violation" of diplomatic and consular conventions.

New Delhi has formally lodged a protest against these actions, urging Canada to cease activities that it views as harassment. "By citing technicalities, the Canadian government cannot justify such intimidation tactics," the ministry’s statement read.

Worsening Diplomatic Relations

India and Canada are currently experiencing one of the most severe diplomatic disputes in recent history. India has criticized Prime Minister Trudeau for his alleged support of separatist and extremist movements that threaten India's sovereignty. Trudeau has faced backlash from Indian officials for appearing at events and rallies supporting the Khalistani cause, which New Delhi views as promoting separatism and violence.

This ongoing dispute underscores the complex and strained nature of India-Canada relations, which have been marked by competing political interests and disagreements over security concerns.