Amid Diplomatic Strains, Canada Names India in ‘Cyberthreat Adversary’ List, Accuses It of Likely Spying
In the midst of escalating tensions between India and Canada, the Canadian government has added India to its ‘cyberthreat adversary’ list, accusing it of engaging in espionage activities against Canada. According to the ‘National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026’, released by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre), India ranks fifth among state-sponsored cyber adversaries, following China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The report claims that Indian state-sponsored cyber actors are likely conducting espionage against the Canadian government, possibly driven by national security interests and counterterrorism efforts. This inclusion comes as the relationship between the two nations continues to deteriorate after accusations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linking Indian agents to the June 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — an allegation India has vehemently denied.
The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security noted that India’s growing cyber capabilities could be used for a variety of purposes, including advancing its global status and addressing narratives against the Indian government. The report also suggests that ongoing diplomatic tensions may influence India’s cyber activities against Canada.
Canada’s intelligence services and its partners, including the Five Eyes alliance, continue to monitor cyber threats from both state and non-state actors.