'Visa matters are sovereign': MEA on row over foreign speakers at Congress event

NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Friday defended India's visa decisions, saying these are "sovereign functions" of every government. The response came amid allegations that more than 100 foreign speakers invited to the Congress-organised Bharat Summit in Hyderabad were denied entry into India or had their visas cancelled. "I would like to say, and all of you are aware, that visa matters are sovereign functions of any country or any government. So that is what I have to say," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his bi-weekly media briefing. The MEA's response came amid allegations by Congress leaders that several foreign delegates who had received prior clearance from the ministry were subsequently denied entry into India or had their visas revoked. The opposition has alleged that the decisions were taken following instructions from the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA). The two-day Bharat Summit 2026 is being held in Hyderabad on November 13 and 14, bringing together around 1,000 delegates, policymakers and thinkers from 70 countries. Organised by the Congress and the Telangana government, the summit features discussions on global geopolitics, democracy, climate change, artificial intelligence and progressive politics. The controversy has particularly brought Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng into focus, after she claimed that her Indian visa was cancelled shortly before her scheduled departure for Hyderabad, where she was due to participate in a panel discussion on media and press freedom at the Bharat Summit. In a post on X, Lyng said she had received a visa from the Indian embassy in Norway and was scheduled to travel to Hyderabad on Friday. However, she alleged that her visa was cancelled shortly before she was due to leave for the airport, citing "orders from above" in the ministry of home affairs. Lyng's case has also drawn attention because of her earlier interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Oslo in May. The Norwegian journalist had questioned PM Modi on press freedom and his reluctance to take questions from journalists during the visit.

Political backlash

The reported visa cancellations have triggered a political row, with opposition leaders questioning the government's decision and alleging that foreign journalists and speakers were being prevented from attending the international gathering. Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of having a dictatorial mindset over the alleged restrictions on foreign journalists attending the Bharat Summit. In a post on X, Reddy alleged that some journalists were stopped from entering India by the ministry of home Affairs despite having received visas. Questioning the reported action, he said, "Is asking Modi ji a question a crime? It is journalists' responsibility to ask questions. Whether to answer them is up to Modi ji." Defending the summit, Reddy said the Invest Telangana Global Summit 2026 aimed to attract investments and generate employment for skilled and unskilled youth, while showcasing Hyderabad's cultural and technological development to representatives from 70 countries. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticised the reported visa cancellations, describing them as a "disappointing footnote" to the Bharat Summit. "It is completely unclear under what provision of law the government has taken such a drastic step," he said, adding that reversing the decision was impossible as the conference was scheduled to conclude the following day.

Tharoor further criticised the development, saying, "What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!" Meanwhile, former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal took a contrasting position, criticising the Norwegian side over the controversy and calling its conduct "unacceptable". In a post on X, Sibal said, "The Norwegians are being very presumptuous. Trying to put us on the mat." Suggesting a tougher response, he added, "Our answer to this should be to tighten up grant of visas to Norwegian journalists." The BJP, meanwhile, defended the visa cancellations, branding the gathering an "Anti-Bharat Summit" and accusing the Congress of bringing together radical Left and anti-India groups.