India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) sharply reprimanded the Canadian government on Thursday after an Australian media outlet blocked a press interaction between Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the incident, calling it a clear demonstration of Canada’s hypocrisy regarding freedom of expression.

During a press briefing, Jaiswal revealed that the social media accounts of the Australian media outlet, which serves a significant diaspora audience, were made inaccessible in Canada shortly after the press conference aired. “We were surprised. It seems strange to us,” he said, adding that Canada’s measures underscore its inconsistent position on freedom of expression.

Jaishankar, who was in Sydney to meet business leaders, had previously criticized Canada for providing a platform to anti-India elements. Jaiswal noted that the media blockade coincided with Jaishankar’s critical remarks about Canada.

“You would have seen that EAM, in its media engagements, talked about three things,” Jaiswal explained. “The first was that Canada was making allegations without specific evidence. The second was the unacceptable surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada. The third was the political space given to anti-India elements.”

Jaishankar’s comments included condemnation of a recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, and allegations of illegal surveillance of Indian diplomats. He stressed the need for accountability and transparency in Canada’s relations with India.

Diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have escalated significantly in recent weeks, particularly following Canada’s claims that senior Indian diplomats were “persons of interest” in the investigation into the murder of the separatist Khalistan Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Separately, on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly condemned Canada’s response to pro-Khalistan extremist activities, particularly following a recent attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario.

Jaishankar, speaking at a joint news conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accused the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, of allowing too much “political space” for extremist groups and to enable their disruptive activities against Indian interests.

Jaishankar highlighted an incident at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton, where pro-Khalistan supporters clashed with the Indian community and disrupted a consular event organized by temple authorities and the Indian consulate.