Canada has banned the Australian news outlet ‘The Australia Today’ just hours after the outlet aired a press conference featuring Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During the conference, he reiterated India’s strong stance on Canada’s ongoing allegations and diplomatic tensions.
The press conference, which was held alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, quickly became the center of controversy, particularly after Jaishankar’s remarks. He accused Canada of leveling serious allegations against India “without any specific evidence,” a statement that highlighted the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Let me make three comments. One, Canada has developed a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics. Secondly, when we look at Canada for us the fact that they’re putting our diplomats under surveillance is something which is unacceptable. Third, the incidents which the gentleman there spoke about, do look at the video, I think they would tell you in a way the political space today which is being given to extremist voices there. So we believe in freedoms, we also believe freedom should not be abused, and have we had a talk about it, exactly on the lines”, Jaishankar had said.
On Thursday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to the incident, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressing the issue at a weekly briefing. Jaiswal outlined three key points raised by Jaishankar during the press meet, each underscoring India’s growing discontent over Canada’s handling of issues related to Indian interests.
Jaiswal specifically pointed to Canada’s repeated allegations against India, which he claimed were made “without credible evidence.” He also called attention to what he described as the “unacceptable” surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, and further criticized Canada for providing political space to “anti-India elements,” a situation that India believes is detrimental to bilateral ties.
“It looks strange to us… these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech. You would have said… you would have seen that EAM and his media engagement, interaction, he spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence. Second thing, highlighted was that surveillance of Indian diplomats have been happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable. And then third thing which he highlighted was the political space which is being given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that why Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada”, Jaiswal said.
The news outlet, which is considered an important platform for the Indian diaspora, had its social media pages and broadcasts blocked within hours of airing the video.
Jaiswal’s comments also drew attention to the perceived irony in Canada’s stance on freedom of expression. The Canadian government, known for its robust media freedoms, faced accusations of censorship by India, particularly given the timing of the ban.
Jaiswal indicated that the Canadian government’s swift reaction to The Australia Today’s coverage was likely tied to the sensitive nature of the remarks made by Jaishankar.
In response to the ban, The Australia Today issued a defiant statement, vowing to remain committed to providing crucial stories and advocating for an open and inclusive media environment. The outlet emphasized its role in representing the voices of the Indian diaspora and promised to continue challenging censorship wherever it occurs.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to bring important stories and voices to the public, undeterred by these obstacles. The overwhelming support we have received is a powerful reminder of the importance of a free press, and we will continue to strive for transparency, accuracy, and the right to tell stories that matter” read the statement.
The incident comes amid growing tensions between Canada and India, particularly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations that Indian agents were involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia. India has strongly denied these allegations, and Jaishankar’s remarks in the press conference were seen as a formal reiteration of India’s position.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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