As the diplomatic row between India and Canada intensifies, a Canadian spy agency accuses India of using cybertechnology to track separatists abroad. The warning came a day after Ottawa accused a senior Indian official of authorizing violence, including the killing of a pro-Khalistani activist in Vancouver.

In a report, Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE) alleged that India was using its cyber capabilities “to track and monitor activists and dissidents living abroad.” The agency also accused India of intensifying cyberattacks against the Canadian government network.

In the past, Canada has accused “agents working for the Indian government” of the murder of pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. “It is clear that we see India becoming an emerging (cyber) threat actor,” CSE chief Caroline Xavier told a news conference on Wednesday. AFP reported. In its scathing report, the agency accuses the breakdown of bilateral relations between Canada and India of being “very likely” at the origin of this activity.

What does the CSE report say?

The report alleges that after Canada’s accusations, “a pro-Indian hacktivist group” launched crippling DDoS attacks. The group flooded a system with online traffic to make it inaccessible to legitimate users. India has denied all the allegations, calling them “absurd”.

Importantly, Canada’s latest allegations came after Delhi and Ottawa expelled the other country’s ambassador and other high-ranking diplomats. Currently, four Indian nationals have been arrested in connection with Nijjar’s murder.

In the past, the United States and Canada have claimed that an Indian spy was involved in the foiled plot to murder another pro-Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Meanwhile, India has criticized Canada for failing to provide security to its diplomats and promoting separatist movements.

With the participation of the AFP.