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The recent publication of Canada's National Cyber Threat Assessment report for 2025-26 has escalated existing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. The report designates India as a significant cyber threat, a move that comes on the heels of controversial allegations surrounding the murder of pro-Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. Canadian authorities suspect involvement by Indian agents in the killing, allegations that New Delhi has vehemently denied as unfounded. The inclusion of India as a cyber threat in the Canadian report signifies a deterioration in the bilateral relationship, raising serious concerns about the potential for further escalation of tensions.
The report's findings are likely to fuel existing anxieties about India's cyber capabilities and its willingness to utilize them for political ends. Concerns have been raised regarding India's use of cyber espionage and its involvement in the targeting of dissidents and opposition figures. While the report does not provide concrete evidence of any specific cyber attacks originating from India, the mere designation as a threat will be interpreted by many as a serious accusation. The report's publication has led to calls for increased scrutiny of India's cyber activities and for the Canadian government to take a more assertive stance in protecting its digital infrastructure from potential threats originating from India.
The timing of the report's release, coinciding with the ongoing investigations into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, has heightened the sensitivity of the issue. Nijjar's killing has been widely condemned by Sikh groups in Canada, and the allegations of Indian involvement have sparked protests and demands for justice. The Canadian government's decision to name India as a cyber threat adds another layer of complexity to this already volatile situation. The report's findings are likely to further strain relations between the two countries and make it more difficult to address the concerns raised by the murder investigation. It remains to be seen how India will respond to the accusations contained in the report and whether the two nations can find a way to repair the damage to their bilateral relationship.
Source: Canada's report names India as cyber threat amidst diplomatic tensions