Washington, DC: In response to questions from a Pakistani reporter regarding allegations that an Australian journalist was not allowed to cover the Indian Lok Sabha elections, the United States stated that each country determines which non-citizens it allows to enter, whether as short-term travelers or international journalists. Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department Vedant Patel stated on Thursday that India is entitled to speak to its own visa policy. “The Government of India can speak to its own visa policy. That’s not something I’m going to opine on from here,” Patel said.
Patel further emphasised the role of the free press in the fabric of democracy.
“Broadly, we have been clear with countries around the world about the integral role that a free press plays in the fabric of democracy. That’s why we come up here and take questions regularly. But I will let the officials in India speak,” he said.
Avani Dias, an Australian journalist claimed that she was not allowed to cover the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and was compelled to leave the country, however, the sources highlighted that her claims are “not correct, misleading and mischievous.”
However, sources said that Avani Dias, South Asia Correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was also found to have violated visa rules while undertaking her professional pursuits while “undertaking her professional pursuits.”
Meanwhile, at her request, Dias was assured that her visa would be extended for the coverage of the general elections.
Moreover, the sources emphasised that Avani’s claims about not being permitted to cover elections are also factually incorrect, adding that covering election activities outside of booths is permitted to all visa-holder journalists.
During the press briefing, Patel also denied making any remark on the internal investigation report by the Indian Government on the alleged assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
He said, “I’m not aware of the report that you’re referencing. This is ultimately a Department of Justice matter and I will defer to them and let them speak to this.”
Notably, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who hold American and Canadian citizenship, is an India-designated terrorist and has repeatedly issued threats against India.
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national currently restrained, has been charged by the US Department of Justice amidst accusations of plotting to hire a hitman to eliminate Pannun. The claim suggests that an undisclosed Indian government official ordered Gupta to track down a hitman for Pannun’s alleged assassination. Luck, however, was not on their side, as US law enforcement foiled their scheme.
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