Why India Must Rise as a Top-Tier Cyber Power, Not Just Settle for Fifth Place

India’s recent inclusion in Canada’s cyber threat list has sparked controversy, but beyond diplomatic tensions, this ranking invites a deeper examination of India’s cyber capabilities and ambitions. Placed at number five among cyber-active nations, India finds itself alongside adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea in Canada’s “National Cyber Threat Assessment 2025-2026.” Rather than simply responding to the inclusion, India should reflect on the potential it holds to become a leading force in global cybersecurity. Now is the time for India to assert itself as a top-tier cyber power, achieving parity with global leaders like the United States, China, and Russia. Here’s why India must aim for an elite position in the cyber realm.

1. Emerging Digital Powerhouse: India's Responsibility and Opportunity

India is not only the world’s largest democracy but also one of the fastest-growing digital economies, positioned uniquely to drive innovation and resilience in cyber technology. With a thriving tech sector, a digitally savvy population, and an ambitious digital infrastructure, India is primed to lead. While ranking fifth may appear sufficient, this placement does not reflect the full extent of India’s potential in the digital arena. If India aspires to global influence, it should invest heavily in becoming a digital and cyber powerhouse on par with major global players.

Countries like the United States, China, and Russia have long recognized the strategic advantage of cyber supremacy. By elevating its cyber capabilities, India can strengthen its position in international cybersecurity, creating standards and strategies that align with democratic principles and secure its economic and strategic interests.

2. Cyber Power as a Diplomatic Instrument

Cyber capability is increasingly becoming a tool of modern diplomacy. Nations leverage cyber intelligence not only to protect their interests but also to shape international narratives and secure their positions on the global stage. For India, an emerging leader in South Asia, cyber leadership is essential for strengthening alliances and reinforcing its strategic stance worldwide.

Investing in advanced cyber capabilities will allow India to play an influential role in global forums, counter misinformation, and protect its growing digital economy from potential threats. As a member of technology-driven coalitions like the Quad, a robust cyber defense will also give India the leverage to influence technology policies and partnerships with confidence, ensuring its data and digital assets remain secure.

3. Building Self-Reliance in Cyber Infrastructure

Canada’s report suggests that India’s cyber strategy partly relies on commercial vendors—a reliance that India should seek to reduce by building its own domestic capabilities. India’s vision for self-reliance, encapsulated in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative, should extend to cybersecurity, fostering an indigenous cyber ecosystem that can support national objectives without foreign dependency.

By investing in homegrown cyber technology, India can develop resilience against external constraints and establish itself as an independent force in the cybersecurity landscape. A domestically anchored cyber infrastructure would also contribute to economic growth by creating jobs and advancing innovation within the country.

4. Setting an Ethical Standard in Cyber Conduct

As digital influence grows, India has a unique opportunity to establish a positive example by aligning cyber power with ethical and transparent practices. In contrast to more authoritarian approaches, India can promote a rules-based cyber order that respects individual rights and data sovereignty, positioning itself as a responsible power in global cybersecurity.

This commitment to an ethical cyber strategy would allow India to counteract perceptions that align it with adversarial states. It would also reinforce India’s image as a democratic and responsible nation, fostering trust and collaboration on cyber issues with other nations that share similar values.

5. Aiming for the Upper Echelons of Cyber Power

Rather than accepting fifth place as an adequate achievement, India should set its sights on becoming one of the world’s leading cyber nations. Countries at the forefront of cyber capability have demonstrated that being at the top not only enhances national security but also expands economic opportunity and global influence. India’s resources—technical expertise, a young and ambitious workforce, and a forward-looking policy framework—are ample to secure its place in this elite group.

Reaching the upper ranks in cyber power would enable India to influence the direction of digital governance, establishing it as a central player in the international cybersecurity landscape.

Conclusion: India’s Cyber Future Awaits

India’s inclusion on Canada’s cyber threat list, regardless of its ranking, highlights the complexity of modern digital geopolitics. But this should not be merely a point of contention; it should serve as a catalyst for India to define its cyber ambitions. By investing in a self-sufficient, ethically driven, and strategically robust cyber framework, India can evolve from a reactive presence in global cyber discussions to a proactive leader. The world’s digital future is being shaped today—and India, with its resources and potential, should aim not just to participate but to lead.