India Expresses Displeasure Over Canada’s Action Against Australian Outlet Interviewing S. Jaishankar

Bilateral relations between India and Canada hit a new low following Canada's decision to block the Australian news outlet The Australia Today, which aired a joint press conference by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The press conference, held in Canberra, included strong remarks from Jaishankar about the ongoing India-Canada standoff, particularly concerning Canada's handling of Khalistan separatist elements.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed "surprise" over Canada's move, calling it a "strange" and hypocritical action that undermined freedom of speech. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out that the blocking of the outlet’s social media pages occurred shortly after it broadcast Jaishankar's comments, questioning the timing of the decision.

Jaishankar had criticized Canada for making unsubstantiated allegations against India over the killing of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as well as for placing Indian diplomats under surveillance. He also raised concerns about the political space being granted to extremist elements in Canada.

In response to the incident, India also announced the cancellation of several planned consular camps in Canada, citing security concerns raised by Canadian authorities.

Both Canada and Australia are members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which also includes the US, UK, and New Zealand.