India Criticizes Canada for Blocking Australian Media Account Amid Rising Tensions
India raises concerns over Canada's restriction on Australia's "Australia Today" media account following Jaishankar's press conference, questioning Canada's commitment to freedom of expression.
The tension between Canada and India is increasing day by day. After the attack on temples and targeting of Hindus, India has raised questions about another act of the Canadian government. Canada has blocked the social media account of an Australian media institution 'Australia Today'. People in Canada are not able to see them. This action took place a few hours after the joint press conference of Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong. Jaishankar had raised the issue of Canada accusing India without proof in the press conference. Now the statement of the Ministry of External Affairs has come on this whole matter.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that soon after S Jaishankar's press conference, Canada blocked the social media page and handle of the Australian channel. Such actions expose Canada's hypocrisy towards freedom of expression.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal raised questions on the blocking/banning of the social media page of Australia's leading outlet 'Australia Today' by the Justin Trudeau government in Canada. Jaiswal said, "We have come to know that the social media handle, page of an important diaspora outlet in Canada has been blocked/banned. This happened just hours after broadcasting the press conference of Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar with Penny Wong. We were surprised by this action. This once again exposes Canada's hypocrisy towards freedom of expression."
In the press conference, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar talked about 3 things in his press conference. First- allegations were made against India by Canada without any specific evidence. Second- unacceptable surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada. Third- political space being given to anti-India elements in Canada".
Last week, India had said that some of its consular officials were informed by the Canadian government that they were under audio and video surveillance. India had lodged a strong objection to this action. India had said that Canada could not hide behind such actions to justify its harassment and intimidation.
Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also raised the issue of Canadian allegations that Indian diplomats were accused of being involved in violent attacks against Sikh leaders. Wong said in a press conference with Jaishankar that we have made clear our concern over the allegations under investigation. We have said that we respect Canada's judicial process.
