India’s NSE and BSE Restrict Overseas Website Access Amid Cybersecurity Concerns
India’s two largest stock exchanges, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE Ltd, have temporarily curbed access to their websites for overseas users, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The move is precautionary in nature and does not impact foreign investors’ ability to trade on Indian markets, the sources emphasized.
The decision followed a joint meeting of the exchanges on Tuesday, where cybersecurity threats were discussed, one source said. While no specific attacks have been confirmed, the BSE acknowledged cyber threat monitoring as part of its protective protocol, adding that access is being granted on a case-by-case basis.
The restriction comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical friction between India and Pakistan, though the sources did not directly link the decision to recent conflict-related developments.
“BSE, being a critical market infrastructure institution (MII), proactively and continuously monitors risks… and based on such monitoring… blocks certain websites/locations to protect users and systems,” a BSE spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters.
Indian markets continue to operate normally, and there is no indication of disruption to core trading systems. The move reflects growing caution among global financial institutions as cyberattacks targeting sensitive financial infrastructure increase in frequency and sophistication.
The NSE has not yet commented on the development.