The United States has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Australian journalist Avani Dias, who claimed that her visa extension was denied by the Indian government. In response to the claims made by Dias, the US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel refrained from directly commenting on India's visa policies, emphasizing that the Indian government has the authority to determine its own visa regulations.
Avani Dias, the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), alleged that her reporting had "crossed a line," leading to the refusal of an extended visa by the Indian government. Dias mentioned that after Australian Government intervention, she was granted a mere two-month extension just less than 24 hours before her scheduled flight. Additionally, she disclosed that her election license was withheld based on a directive from the Indian Ministry, which prompted her to leave on the day of the national elections.
However, sources within the Central government contradicted Dias's claims, asserting that her allegations were inaccurate and misleading. They stated that Dias had violated visa regulations in her professional work but that she was given an extension for election coverage upon request. Dias's initial visa was valid until April 20, with the visa fee paid on April 18. Sources confirmed that her visa was extended until the end of June on the same day that the fee was paid.
Furthermore, sources clarified that Dias voluntarily departed from India on the same day that her visa was extended, holding a valid visa with an approved extension. They refuted her assertion of being denied election coverage, labeling it as factually incorrect and maintaining that she departed before the visas were processed.