Thu Nov 07 15:07:22 UTC 2024: ## India Accuses Canada of Hypocrisy After Australian News Outlet Blocked
**New Delhi, India** – India has sharply criticized Canada for blocking the social media handles of an Australian news outlet, Australia Today, just hours after it carried a press conference featuring Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The move, India claims, highlights Canada’s hypocrisy towards freedom of speech.
The blocking occurred during Jaishankar’s visit to Australia, where he met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and co-chaired the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Australia Today had also published an interview with Jaishankar and several articles about his visit.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed surprise at the blocking, stating, “It looks strange to us. But, nonetheless, these are actions that yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech.”
Jaiswal pointed to Jaishankar’s recent remarks about Canada’s pattern of making allegations without evidence, the surveillance of Indian diplomats, and the platform given to anti-India elements in Canada.
The incident comes amidst ongoing tensions between India and Canada, fueled by Canada’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has repeatedly dismissed these claims and demanded evidence, while Canada has refused to back down.
The situation escalated last month when India withdrew its High Commissioner and several diplomats from Canada, expelling six Canadian officials in retaliation.
Furthermore, India has cancelled some consular camps in Toronto due to a lack of security assurances from Canada. This decision followed an attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, where a consular camp was being held, on November 3.
The recent blocking of Australia Today’s social media accounts is seen as yet another sign of the deteriorating relationship between India and Canada. Both countries are now facing the challenge of de-escalating the situation and finding a path towards restoring diplomatic ties.
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