Aakhir Tak – In Shorts:
- Canada banned Australia Today after it aired S. Jaishankar’s press conference.
- India called the ban an attack on freedom of speech and dissent.
- Jaishankar commented on India-Canada diplomatic relations in Australia.
- The press conference also addressed India-Australia ties.
- India stated that Canada’s decision goes against democratic values.
Aakhir Tak – In Depth:
Canada recently banned the Australian media outlet, Australia Today, following its broadcast of a press conference by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. The press conference, which was held in Sydney, Australia, included Jaishankar’s remarks on India-Canada diplomatic tensions and discussed India’s deepening relations with Australia.
This decision from Canada came shortly after Jaishankar’s press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, where he expressed India’s concerns over certain actions by Canada that have affected bilateral relations. The incident quickly sparked responses from both countries. India reacted sharply to Canada’s ban, accusing it of stifling freedom of speech and limiting expressions of dissent.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India stated that Canada’s decision to ban a media outlet for broadcasting a diplomatic dialogue violates democratic principles. India further criticized Canada’s response, describing it as “hypocrisy” and highlighting that freedom of speech cannot be conditional.
Recent months have witnessed growing diplomatic strains between India and Canada, with various issues exacerbating the divide. India views the ban as evidence of Canada’s disregard for viewpoints that challenge its own policies. According to Indian officials, Canada’s selective application of freedom rights is concerning and underscores a double standard in its approach.
India’s response also pointed out that Canada’s actions could damage its global image, calling for a return to true democratic ideals. They added that stifling dissent harms Canada’s own democratic framework and reduces its credibility on the international stage.
Key Takeaways to Remember:
- Canada banned Australia Today after it aired S. Jaishankar’s press conference.
- India called it an attack on freedom of speech and democratic values.
- This incident may escalate existing tensions between India and Canada.
