‘Modi govt denied visa extension saying reports crossed a line’: Australian journalist leaves India

Avani Dias said, while she obtained an extension for two months after "intervention from the Australian government", it was just 24 hours before her flight out of India

ABC News South Asia Bureau Chief Avani Dias in Delhi (X/AvaniDias)

Avani Dias, the South Asia Bureau Chief for Australian broadcasting firm, ABC News, who left India on April 19, on Tuesday claimed that she was denied a visa extension by the Indian government because her reports “crossed a line”. While she obtained an extension for two months after “intervention from the Australian government”, it was just 24 hours before her flight out of India, she added.

“Last week, I had to leave India abruptly. The Modi Government told me my visa extension would be denied, saying my reporting “crossed a line”. After Australian Government intervention, I got a mere two-month extension …less than 24 hours before my flight,” Dias posted on X.

“We were also told my election accreditation would not come through because of an Indian Ministry directive. We left on day one of voting in the national election in what Modi calls “the mother of democracy”.

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According to a statement by ABC News, Dias was informed of the decision to deny her a visa extension “via a phone call from an official at the Ministry of External Affairs, who said her most recent Foreign Correspondent episode ‘crossed a line'”.

This came after a report by Dias on the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada was blocked on YouTube in India, the media organisation said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs — the Foreigners Registration Office dealing with the visa process of foreign journalists operates under the MHA — has not commented on the matter yet.

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