Canada blocks Australia Today after Jaishankar presser; India blasts Ottawa’s ‘hypocrisy’

India slams Ottawa for hypocrisy on free speech

In a strong condemnation of Canada’s recent move to block the popular Australian news outlet Australia Today, India on Thursday expressed surprise and dismay, accusing Ottawa of hypocrisy regarding freedom of speech. The ban comes just hours after the outlet aired a press conference featuring India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, where he addressed the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic standoff and raised concerns about Khalistani extremism in Canada.

Speaking at a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal voiced India’s shock at the sudden ban, which targeted the social media pages and handles of Australia Today, a key outlet for the Indian diaspora in Australia and around the world. The timing of the ban, Jaiswal said, was particularly telling—coming only a few hours after the press conference, which featured remarks by Jaishankar on issues including Canada’s handling of anti-India elements within its borders.

“We understand that the social media handles of this particular outlet have been blocked and are no longer available to viewers in Canada. This happened just hours after it aired the joint press conference between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra,” Jaiswal remarked, expressing India’s surprise at the incident.

He further added that the move highlights Canada’s double standards when it comes to upholding the principles of free speech. “This action yet again underscores the hypocrisy of Canada on freedom of speech. We are perplexed that Canada would take such action in response to a media outlet broadcasting a press conference where India raised legitimate concerns about Canada’s handling of anti-India activities,” he said.

In the press conference, Jaishankar addressed key issues, including Canada’s unfounded allegations against India and the rise of Khalistani extremism in the country. He had also criticized Canada’s surveillance of Indian diplomats and the political space allowed to anti-India elements.

“The three issues that Minister Jaishankar raised were critical: One, the pattern of unsubstantiated allegations against India; two, the unacceptable surveillance of Indian diplomats; and three, the political shelter extended to anti-India elements within Canada. You can draw your conclusions as to why Canada decided to block the broadcast of this press conference,” Jaiswal added.

The latest incident of censorship comes amid rising tensions between India and Canada, especially after a series of violent incidents in Canada involving pro-Khalistani extremists. This includes an attack on devotees at a Hindu temple in Brampton, which Jaishankar described as “deeply concerning.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly attempt” to intimidate Indian diplomats, and urged Canada to take stronger measures to protect all places of worship.

India has long been vocal about the growing influence of Khalistani separatists in Canada and has called on Ottawa to do more to counter extremist activities within its borders. The diplomatic row between the two countries began in September 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made unsubstantiated claims that Indian government agents may have been involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India categorically rejected these allegations.

Last month, relations took another nosedive when Canada referred to the Indian High Commissioner as a “person of interest” in the Nijjar case, prompting India to recall its envoy and expel several Canadian diplomats in retaliation.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly called on Canada to ensure the safety of Indian nationals and to take stronger action against those engaging in violent and separatist activities, which continue to threaten both bilateral relations and the safety of India’s diaspora in Canada.

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