Amid uncertainty over issuance of visa to two Indian journalists reporting from China, India has expressed hope that the authorities in Beijing would facilitate continued presence of Indian journalists in the country.
It is learnt that visas of at least two Indian journalists, reporting for Prasar Bharati and The Hindu from Beijing, have been “curtailed or frozen”. China has defended its move claiming that its journalists have received “unfair and discriminatory treatment in India for a long time”.
Responding to questions, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “There are Chinese journalists who have Indian visas for pursuing journalistic activities here. So, from that perspective, we don’t see any limitations or difficulties in reporting or doing media coverage… As regards to Indian journalists working in China, we hope that Chinese authorities would facilitate their continued presence and reporting from China.”
On the visa clearance issue, he said, “We are in touch with the Chinese authorities in this regard. I do not want to get into individual cases or individual information.”
Asked about the number of Chinese journalists operating in India, Bagchi said it is better to ask the Chinese side.
“Because I would not know their exact position — whether they are here or they have gone back to China or somewhere else. But certainly there are a number of Chinese journalists who have valid Indian visas,” he said. “If there are individual cases and issues, I am sure there are mechanisms to discuss,” he added.
Sources said Prasar Bharati China correspondent’s term is over but since his successor’s paperwork is still being done, he hold the post. During his personal visit to India recently, he was informed that his visa has been “frozen”, said sources, adding that the Ministry of External Affairs has taken up this matter with the Chinese authorities. The Hindu’s China correspondent, it is learnt, has been informed that his visa has been “frozen”. He is in India currently.
China, meanwhile, has sought reciprocal measures from India for the facilitation of its journalists. Asked why China resorted to suspension of visas of Indian journalists, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing that “for a long time Chinese journalists have received unfair and discriminatory treatment in India”.
