‘Hypocrisy exposed’: MEA slams Canada for blocking Australian channel during S Jaishankar’s press conference

New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India sharply criticized Canadian government on Thursday for blocking an Australian media outlet during a press interaction between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, in Canberra.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused Canada of hypocrisy regarding its stance on freedom of speech after the incident, which took place shortly after the outlet, Australia Today, aired the press conference.

What Randhir Jaiswal alleged

Jaiswal alleged that the social media accounts of the Australian media outlet, a key channel for the Indian diaspora, were blocked in Canada within hours of broadcasting the press interaction. He described the move as “surprising” and “strange,” but said that it highlighted Canada’s inconsistency when it comes to upholding freedom of speech. “These actions again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech,” Jaiswal said.

During the media interaction, Jaishankar raised concerns over Canada’s approach to certain issues, specifically highlighting the political space given to anti-India elements in the country. Jaiswal pointed out that the blocking of the Australia Today channel followed Jaishankar’s comments, where the minister criticised Canada’s handling of several matters, including surveillance of Indian diplomats.

What S Jaishankar said?

Jaishankar raised concerns about the political environment in Canada, particularly the growing influence of anti-India elements. Jaiswal pointed out that the blocking of the Australia Today channel came after Jaishankar’s comments about the lack of evidence behind Canada’s allegations against India.

Jaishankar also condemned the surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, calling it “unacceptable.” Additionally, he criticised the political space in Canada that has been increasingly given to extremist groups, which he suggested could be a reason for the channel’s blocking.

Jaishankar expressed his discontent over Canada’s handling of a number of issues, including an attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton and Canada’s tendency to make allegations against India without providing specific evidence.

The tensions between India and Canada have escalated since last month when Canada accused senior Indian diplomats of being involved in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.