Helle Lyng Svendsen was slated to address the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad on November 14, but faced an unexpected setback
HYDERABAD: Norwegian commentator Helle Lyng Svendsen Wednesday said her Indian visa was cancelled just a day after it was issued and barely 10 minutes before she was to leave for the airport to board a flight to Hyderabad for the Bharat Summit. After submitting the required documents on Nov 5, she was informed on Nov 10 that her passport, with the visa, was ready for collection.
In a post on X, Svendsen said the cancellation had come on “orders from above” in the home ministry. She said the organisers had informed her last week that political clearance had been granted for her participation. Svendsens said that subsequently received an email from the embassy confirming that her visa had been cancelled and was no longer valid for travel. She said she had not been asked to submit any further documents or clarifications before the decision. “It is very unfortunate how much of a hassle it is to host a political conference in the world’s largest democracy,” she said.
In a video message, she questioned the Union home minister why her visa was cancelled. In an email interaction with TOI on Wednesday, the commentator with Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen said the Indian embassy in Oslo informed her that she would not be allowed to enter India but did not explain why.
Reacting to the incident, the Indian National Congress , in a post on X, wrote: “Why are Modi and his govt so afraid of questions?”
Svendsen said she had not yet approached Norwegian authorities and would evaluate her next steps.