In a significant development, Canada has officially classified India as a "cyber adversary" for the first time in a government report. This designation appears in the National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026, released by the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security on Tuesday.
The assessment identifies several state adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and now India. It states that Indian state-sponsored cyber actors are likely conducting activities targeting Canadian government networks for espionage purposes. Furthermore, the report suggests that ongoing diplomatic relations between Canada and India are likely to drive these cyber activities.
The report highlights India's ambition to modernize its cyber capabilities and indicates that the country is expected to use its cyber program to further national security goals, including espionage and counterterrorism efforts, while also enhancing its global standing.
Additionally, it notes that India likely utilizes commercial cyber vendors to bolster its operations.
This announcement follows a diplomatic spat between the two nations, which escalated when India withdrew six diplomats from Canada after they were declared “persons of interest” in law enforcement investigations into violent criminal activity. In retaliation, New Delhi expelled six Canadian diplomats.
India has labeled the allegations as "preposterous," accusing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of catering to domestic political interests. On October 16, during testimony at the foreign interference commission, Trudeau alleged that India had violated Canada's sovereignty, citing “clear indications” of such violations, although he acknowledged that the evidence at that time was primarily intelligence-based rather than concrete proof.
The Canadian government has not yet released specific evidence to support its claims against India, stating that more details will emerge during upcoming trials related to incidents involving murder and extortion. Trudeau previously mentioned "credible allegations" connecting Indian agents to the killing of pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June.
During his recent testimony, Trudeau reiterated the seriousness of the allegations despite the lack of hard evidentiary proof at that moment, which India has dismissed as "absurd" and politically motivated.