India’s government accused of targeting foreign reporters who have ‘crossed the line’

Avani Dias, South Asia correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), was busy with work when she received a call last month from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs telling her that her routine visa extension would be denied.

The Australian was told on March 27 that her most recent online news episode had “crossed a line”.

Dias’ experience, and that of French journalist Vanessa Dougnac recently, has raised concerns that India was targeting the media for certain reports that crossed the authorities.

At least 30 foreign journalists wrote an open letter on Tuesday protesting against what they saw as increased restrictions on visas and journalism permits, insisting that Dias’ case was a “cause for concern” and calling on Delhi to “facilitate the vital work of a free press in line with India’s democratic traditions”.

This Week in Asia was directed to Dias’ recorded statements and clips when the journalist, who declined to comment again on her experience, was approached.

“My visa was due to expire on April 20 and in January I applied for a routine one-year extension which is the regular process,” Dias, who has been based in Delhi for ABC since January 2022, recalled in her final podcast Looking for Modi after returning to Australia with her partner last weekend.

Earlier this month, after lobbying from the Australian government, India at the last minute extended Dias’ visa by another two months. By that time, according to the journalist, she knew she could not remain an independent reporter in the country.

“Avani Dias’ case, along with others like French journalist Vanessa Dougnac who was also forced to leave under similar circumstances, underscores a troubling pattern for foreign correspondents in India,” Kunal