November 7, 2024: In a move that has escalated tensions between India and Canada, the Canadian government has blocked the prominent news outlet Australia Today just hours after it aired a joint press conference between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra. The press conference, which addressed the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, featured sharp remarks from Jaishankar regarding Canada's handling of allegations against India.
The ban on Australia Today, which is a key outlet for the Indian diaspora in Canada, has drawn a strong response from the Indian government. At a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed India’s surprise at the Canadian action and slammed it as a reflection of Ottawa's growing "hypocrisy" on freedom of speech.
“We were surprised by this development. The blocking of social media pages of this particular outlet, which caters significantly to the Indian diaspora, took place shortly after it aired the press conference of Minister Jaishankar alongside his Australian counterpart,” Jaiswal said. “It’s strange, and it underscores the hypocrisy of Canada when it comes to freedom of expression.”
The press conference covered several key issues in the tense India-Canada diplomatic relationship, including Canada's unfounded allegations against India regarding the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar also spoke out against the surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada, which he termed "unacceptable," and criticized the political space given to anti-India elements in Canada.
Jaiswal pointed to these remarks as key to understanding why Australia Today might have been targeted by the Canadian authorities. "The actions taken by Canada are consistent with a broader pattern we have seen, where Canada allows anti-India rhetoric to flourish, while simultaneously suppressing voices that provide a counter-narrative," Jaiswal added.
The ban comes amid a worsening diplomatic row between the two nations, which began in September 2023 after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of involvement in the killing of Nijjar, an allegation which India categorically rejected. Tensions further escalated last month when Canada declared the Indian High Commissioner a "person of interest" in its investigation into the murder, leading India to recall its envoy and expel several Canadian diplomats in retaliation.
The incident also follows a violent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, reportedly carried out by pro-Khalistani elements. Jaishankar had condemned the attack as "deeply concerning," and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the violence, calling it a "cowardly attempt" to intimidate Indian diplomats.
The blocking of Australia Today highlights the broader controversy over freedom of the press and the protection of minority communities in Canada. India has repeatedly called on Canada to take stronger action against extremism and to safeguard places of worship, following a spate of attacks and threats against the Indian community in the country.
As the diplomatic standoff continues, the latest development is likely to further strain the already fragile ties between India and Canada, with both sides accusing each other of failing to address critical issues.
Australia Today remains a crucial platform for the Indian diaspora in Canada, providing news, analysis, and commentary on issues affecting their community both in Canada and internationally. The channel’s sudden removal from Canadian social media platforms has drawn widespread criticism from supporters, who view it as an attempt to silence dissenting views on the ongoing diplomatic crisis.