Avani Dias, Bureau Chief, Australian Broadcasting Company. Archive | Picture credit score: X/@AvaniDias
Australian authorities acknowledged on Thursday that India had granted a visa to Avani Dias, bureau chief of the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), though she had “chosen” to depart India on the time. They expressed satisfaction over the dealing with of the case by the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA).
Ms Dias claimed final week that she needed to depart India “abruptly” as a result of she was informed she would “be denied a visa extension”.
“The Australian Authorities has been working with the Indian Authorities and the ABC and Australia recognize the help and cooperation of the MEA. Australia is happy that the Indian authorities has granted the journalist a visa, though she had determined to depart India on the time. ABC protection of India, notably through the election interval, is vital to Australians and the Australian authorities,” an Australian Excessive Fee supply stated right here in response to a query from The Hindu.
The Australian model was corroborated by Indian sources, who stated Ms Dias was informed virtually two weeks earlier than leaving India that her visa software was being processed and that the doc can be supplied to her. They stated that Mrs. DĂaz acquired the visa though she determined to depart.
Ms Dias had stated Indian authorities had been upset by her reporting on pro-Khalistan activists in Punjab and informed her her reporting had “crossed a line”.
The Indian facet is known to have been shocked by Ms Dias’ allegations.
Indian sources added that after the visa was granted, its necessities to cowl the Indian elections had been additionally being checked out positively and will have been fastened regardless of earlier disagreements over its protection of Punjab.
Official sources had stated The Hindu on Wednesday that Ms. Dias’ “declare that she was not allowed to cowl the election and was compelled to depart the nation was incorrect, deceptive and malicious.”
Ms Dias gained prominence after an ABC report on the Khalistan concern was considered globally. Later, YouTube blocked the present “Sikhs, Spies and Murders: Investigating India’s Alleged Assault on International Soil.”
In an electronic mail to ABC, YouTube stated it had acquired an order from the Ministry of Info and Broadcasting concerning the reportage underneath the Info Expertise Act 2000.
An ABC group had visited the household residence in Punjab of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the pro-Khalistan activist who was murdered by unknown assassins in Canada final 12 months.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that Nijjar was killed by Indian brokers.
