On Thursday (local time), the US rebuked a Pakistani reporter’s questions about allegations that an Australian journalist was not allowed to cover Indian general elections, saying that the country decides which non-citizens are allowed to enter, whether as short-term travellers or international journalists.
Responding to a question from a Pakistani reporter on charges of denial of visa renewal to Australian journalist Avani Dias, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel stated, “The Government of India can speak to its own visa policies. That is not something I am going to comment on from here.”
Patel underlined the importance of the free press in the fabric of democracy.
“Overall, we have been explicit with governments all around the world about the critical role that a free press plays in the fabric of democracy. That is why we come up here and answer inquiries on a regular basis. “But I’ll let Indian officials speak,” he continued.
Avani Dias, an Australian journalist, alleged that she was barred from covering the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and was forced to leave the country. However, sources stated that her accusations are “not correct, misleading, and mischievous.”
According to sources, Avani Dias, South Asia Correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), was also found to have broken visa requirements while “undertaking her professional pursuits.”
Meanwhile, at Ms Dias’ request, her visa was extended to encompass the general elections.
Furthermore, the sources highlighted that Avani Dias’ assertions about not being allowed to cover elections are factually inaccurate, and that covering election events outside of booths is permissible for all visa-holder media.
During the press event, Mr Patel also denied making any comments on the Indian Government’s internal inquiry report into the suspected assassination plan of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
He said, “I’m not aware of the report you’re referring to. This is ultimately a Department of Justice concern, so I will defer to them and let them talk about it.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an Indian-designated terrorist, holds citizenship in both the United States and Canada. He has often made threats against India.
According to the US Justice Department’s indictment, Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national currently in detention, has been charged with Pannun’s murder-for-hire. The US Justice Department stated that an Indian government employee, who was not identified in the complaint, solicited Gupta to hire a hitman to allegedly assassinate Pannun, but US agents stopped the plan.
