Telangana BJP defends visa denials for Bharat Summit speakers
- Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao labeled the Bharat Summit an anti-Bharat event.
- Congress leader Shashi Tharoor alleged 115 of 315 scheduled speakers were denied entry.
- Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen reported her visa was cancelled minutes before travel.
- The Ministry of External Affairs stated that visa issuance remains a matter of national jurisdiction.
- The two-day Bharat Summit in Hyderabad concluded on November 14, 2026.
Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao labeled the Bharat Summit an "anti-Bharat Summit" on November 14, 2026, and defended the decision to revoke visas for foreign invitees. He alleged that individuals who spoke or wrote against the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were invited with the "sole intention of creating anarchy".
The party asserted that "Those who spoke against country are being invited" to justify the visa denials for the event held in Hyderabad. The political clash over the Bharat Summit was noted by Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao, who defended the visa revocations.
Congress alleges 115 speakers denied entry
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor alleged that 115 of the 315 speakers scheduled for the Bharat Summit were denied entry or had their visas cancelled. These cancellations occurred despite the speakers having received prior political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Congress party claims the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the instructions for these denials.
Norwegian journalist reports last-minute visa cancellation
She is among the foreign invitees who were denied entry or had their visas revoked for the Bharat Summit.
Svendsen claimed her visa was cancelled due to "orders from above" in the Ministry of Home Affairs. She was scheduled to speak at the event regarding the future of media and press freedom.
On May 18, Svendsen had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Oslo why he does not take "some questions from the freest press in the world". The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian embassy have not provided comments regarding her allegations.
Shashi Tharoor criticizes government insecurity
Shashi Tharoor criticized the government's actions, stating, "What a shame that a proud democracy has become so insecure that it must stifle any voices it fears will be critical!".
BJP cites historical Congress hypocrisy
N Ramchander Rao of the BJP stated that visa cancellation is a government prerogative.
He accused the Congress party of hypocrisy, noting that 63 Congress MPs previously urged the US President to deny a visa to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
BRS questions summit's economic benefits
BRS spokesperson Revula Sridhar Reddy said his party welcomes the summit but requested the government clarify how the event will generate investments, opportunities, and employment for Telangana.
He noted that the infrastructure and ecosystem enabling Hyderabad to host international events were established during the ten-year KCR government.
Scope and participation at the Bharat Summit
The Bharat Summit, held in Hyderabad on November 13–14, 2026, was organized by the Congress party and the Telangana government.
Organizers reported that approximately 200 international delegates were in attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 115 of 315 speakers for Congress’ Bharat Summit denied entry into India, claims Shashi Tharoor (scroll.in)
- "Those who spoke against country are being invited": Telangana BJP defends visa denials for Hyderabad Bharat Summit speakers (aninews.in)
- India AI Impact Summit 2026 (Wikipedia — background) (en.wikipedia.org)
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