Australian journalist claims India visa extension denied due to Nijjar report

Australian journalist Avani Dias on Tuesday claimed she was denied a visa extension by India because her reports "crossed a line".

The South Asia Bureau Chief for ABC News left India on April 19. She claims she only obtained a two-month extension after the Australian government intervened, and it was granted just 24 hours before her flight out.

“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 social media platform 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,'" Dias added.

Dias was denied a Visa extension after a report on the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Th Indian government blocked the Foreign Correspondent episode on YouTube, The Indian Express reported.

According to a statement by ABC News, Dias received a "phone call from an official at the Ministry of External Affairs, who said her recent report ‘crossed a line'".

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