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Canada's Cybersecurity Agency Highlights India's Surveillance of Sikh Separatists

Thursday 31 October 2024 - 10:11

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In a significant revelation, Canada's Communications Security Establishment (CSE) has reported that India is employing advanced cyber technology to monitor Sikh separatists residing outside its borders. This announcement follows serious accusations from the Canadian government, which implicated a senior Indian official in orchestrating violent acts, including the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist in Vancouver.

The CSE's report indicates that India is not only surveilling activists but has also intensified cyber-attacks against Canadian government networks. Canada hosts the largest Sikh population outside India, many of whom advocate for an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan.

During a recent news conference, CSE chief Caroline Xavier characterized India as an emerging cyber threat actor. She pointed out that the escalating tensions in Canada-India relations are likely fueling these cyber activities. The report highlights that following Canada’s allegations, a pro-India hacktivist group executed extensive Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks on various Canadian websites, including those associated with the military.

Furthermore, Canadian officials have traced a campaign aimed at intimidating Khalistani activists back to the upper echelons of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. David Morrison, deputy minister of foreign affairs, confirmed during testimony before a parliamentary committee that Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah was linked to these intimidation efforts, including Nijjar's death.

Morrison disclosed that he had been approached by a journalist from the Washington Post regarding this matter and confirmed Shah's involvement. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and national police have asserted that there are "clear indications" of India's participation in the murder and a broader campaign of threats against Khalistani advocates.

In response to these allegations, India has firmly rejected the claims. The diplomatic rift has escalated recently, with both countries expelling each other's ambassadors and senior diplomats. Additionally, four Indian nationals have been arrested in connection with Nijjar's murder.

As this situation unfolds, it raises pressing questions about international relations and cybersecurity in an increasingly interconnected world.