India denounces Canada’s cyber security report as relations continue to deteriorate

New Delhi, Nov 02: India has condemned Canada’s recent National Cyber Threat Assessment report, which classifies India as a "state adversary" on par with China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The report, published by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, accuses India of engaging in state-sponsored cyber espionage and hacking activities against Canadian interests. This latest development adds fuel to an already tense diplomatic rift between New Delhi and Ottawa.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded with strong criticism, calling the report part of an ongoing Canadian effort to malign India’s international reputation. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that Canada’s allegations lack evidence, a recurring issue in recent confrontations.

“This appears to be another example of a Canadian strategy to attack India. As I mentioned earlier, their senior officials have openly confessed that they are seeking to manipulate global opinion against India. As on other occasions, imputations are made without any evidence,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing.

Canada’s cyber security report suggests that India’s cyber programs pose a threat to Canadian interests. It also contends that India conducts cyber activities aimed at espionage, specifically targeting Canada’s government networks. The report states: “We judge that official bilateral relations between Canada and India will very likely drive Indian state-sponsored cyber threat activity against Canada.”

India expressed concern about what it described as invasive surveillance practices by Canadian authorities on Indian consular officials. According to Jaiswal, several Indian officials in Canada were recently informed that they had been under audio and video surveillance, with their communications intercepted.

“Some of our consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian Government that they have been and continued to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested to the Canadian Government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions,” Jaiswal stated. He further emphasised that “by citing technicalities, the Canadian Government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation.”

India views these actions as escalating the challenges faced by its diplomatic personnel, who already operate in what India claims is a hostile environment fuelled by extremism and threats of violence. “This action of the Canadian Government aggravates the situation and is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices,” Jaiswal added.

The ongoing diplomatic fallout stems from allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2023, accusing Indian officials of orchestrating the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistani separatist, in British Columbia.

Despite Trudeau's accusations, he later admitted before the Canadian foreign interference commission that his government has not yet produced concrete evidence linking India to the murder. New Delhi has consistently denied the charges.

Tensions have since escalated, with India withdrawing its high commissioner and other diplomats from Canada after Ottawa listed them as "persons of interest" in the investigation of Nijjar’s death. India has accused Canada of allowing violent Khalistani separatists to operate freely on its soil.

The current escalation, including the contentious cyber threat report, shows a deepening distrust growing between the two countries, with India now cautioning that Canada’s approach could have lasting consequences for bilateral relations.