India News | It's a 'sovereign Decision': MEA on Denying Entry to Indian-origin Writer

New Delhi, Feb 29 (PTI) Days after UK-based Indian-origin author Nitasha Kaul was not allowed to enter Bengaluru, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said entry of foreign nationals into the country is a "sovereign decision".

Kaul was invited to participate in an event organised by the Karnataka government. However, she was sent back from Bengaluru airport to London last week.

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"This particular UK national came to India on February 22. As you know, entry of foreign nationals into our country is a sovereign decision," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

He was replying to a question.

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"Denied entry to #India for speaking on democratic & constitutional values. I was invited to a conference as esteemed delegate by Govt of #Karnataka (Congress-ruled state) but Centre refused me entry," Kaul had posted on X on Sunday.

Asked about comments by a police official in Haryana's Ambala that the process to cancel passports and visas of "rowdies" involved in breaking barricades will be initiated, Jaiswal did not give a direct reply. "All passport or visa matters are governed by certain rules, laws and guidelines that we have and if any issue arises on account of that, will be considered as per those laws, rules and regulations," he said.

The police official reportedly made the remarks referring to the elements causing law and order situation during the recent farmers' agitation.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)