New Delhi, November 8, 2024 — India on Thursday accused Canada of blocking the social media accounts of an Australian media outlet shortly after it aired a press conference featuring India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. The action was deemed a restrictive and hypocritical move against freedom of speech, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed during a media briefing that the Canadian government had obstructed access to the social media pages and handles of Australia Today, a prominent diaspora media outlet, making the content inaccessible to Canadian viewers. The restrictions reportedly took effect within hours of the media outlet broadcasting Jaishankar’s press conference with Wong, sparking concerns about Canada’s stance on free speech.
“We understand that the social media handles and pages of this particular outlet, which serves as an important diaspora platform, were blocked and are no longer accessible to viewers in Canada,” Jaiswal said. “This happened just an hour or so after Australia Today aired the press conference between EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.”
Expressing dismay over Canada’s actions, Jaiswal stated, “We were surprised by this decision. It looks strange to us. But, more importantly, actions like these underscore Canada’s hypocrisy towards freedom of speech. They preach tolerance for diverse views internationally but take restrictive actions within their borders.”
Jaiswal went on to highlight that Jaishankar’s media interactions in Australia had touched on the tensions with Canada, particularly addressing allegations made against India by the Canadian government without any substantial evidence. He elaborated on Jaishankar’s statements about the “pattern” of allegations made by Canada, saying, “You would have seen that the External Affairs Minister, in his media engagements, spoke about three things. One was Canada making allegations, and a pattern has developed, yet no specific evidence has been shared with us.”
The diplomatic friction between India and Canada has been intensifying, with India criticizing Canada’s handling of threats and pressures faced by Indian diplomats stationed in the country. As part of the media briefing, Jaiswal also condemned Canada for what he described as the “unacceptable surveillance” of Indian diplomatic personnel, adding that the situation had worsened significantly in recent months.
“Indian diplomats are being put under surveillance in Canada, which is totally unacceptable. The EAM has previously raised this issue in his discussions, and we have taken up the matter very strongly with the Canadian side,” Jaiswal stated, noting the impact these tensions have had on the diplomatic staff’s safety and freedom.
Jaiswal also drew attention to the increasing instances of harassment, intimidation, and even threats directed toward Indian diplomats in Canada. “Over the past year, we have observed troubling patterns of aggression. Our diplomats have been attacked, intimidated, and harassed. Yes, the threats against our diplomats have increased,” he remarked.
The ongoing situation has sparked debate over Canada’s commitment to protecting freedom of speech and ensuring the safety of foreign diplomats on its soil. India has voiced concerns about the perceived double standards in Canada’s approach to human rights and free speech, especially when actions are taken against platforms like Australia Today, which primarily serve the Indian diaspora and cover important international dialogues.
Relations between India and Canada have been on a downward trajectory, fueled by disagreements over a range of political issues and controversies involving separatist activities. India has repeatedly criticized Canada for allowing individuals and groups advocating for separatism and anti-India activities to operate freely within its borders, citing this as a significant national security concern.
The latest move to block Australia Today has led Indian authorities to question whether Canada is prioritizing its political stances over commitments to fundamental democratic values like free speech. The MEA’s comments underscore India’s frustration with what it sees as selective censorship and a lack of protection for Indian representatives in Canada.
The MEA has emphasized that, despite these challenges, India remains committed to upholding respectful and open dialogues with Canada. However, Jaiswal reiterated that Canada must ensure the safety and dignity of Indian diplomats and respect freedom of speech without resorting to restrictive actions.
India’s strong response to Canada’s actions signals an increasingly tense diplomatic standoff, with both countries at odds over matters of security, sovereignty, and the protection of fundamental rights. The MEA’s statements reflect India’s call for a fair, balanced approach from Canada, urging them to reconsider actions that threaten diplomatic harmony and undermine shared democratic values.
