Visa Row In India: US Journalist Avani Dias’ Experience Covered by Australian Journalist

According to a report, Australian journalist Avani Dias was found to have violated visa rules. The US State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel declined to comment on the issue, stating that it falls under India’s visa policy jurisdiction. Patel also emphasized the importance of a free press in democracy.

Dias claimed she was not allowed to cover the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in India and was forced to leave the country. However, sources have refuted her claims, describing them as “not correct, misleading, and mischievous.” Additionally, it was revealed that Dias had violated visa rules while working as the South Asia Correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that Dias’ visa would have been extended for election coverage if requested. The sources clarified that Dias’ assertion of not being permitted to cover elections is factually incorrect, as journalists with visas are allowed to cover election activities outside of polling booths. During the press briefing, Patel denied making any remarks on the internal investigation report by the Indian Government regarding an alleged assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

He mentioned that a US Justice Department indictment had charged an Indian national for Pannun’s murder-for-hire and foiling the plot. It’s important to note that the story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.