India on Thursday deported Alexander Carlile, the British lawyer for jailed Bangladeshi opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Wednesday night, for misrepresenting his “intended activity” on his visa application.

His intention was to create problems between the governments of India and Bangladesh on the one hand and misunderstanding between New Delhi and the opposition in Bangladesh, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing.

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Carlile landed from London on an Air India flight at the Indira Gandhi International Airport late on Wednesday night. Shortly on his arrival, he was informed that his visa had been revoked and he had to leave by the next available flight.

Just after midnight, the MEA spokesperson issued a statement saying, “Lord Alexander Carlile, a British national, arrived in New Delhi on 11 July without having obtained the appropriate Indian visa. His intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application. It was, therefore decided to deny him entry into India upon arrival.”

Carlile, who had apparently obtained an e-visa, was scheduled to hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

New Delhi’s action came days after Bangladesh had summoned India’s acting High Commissioner Adarsh Swaki after a Bangladeshi newspaper had reported that Carlile was planning to visit India.

The MEA spokesperson said there was clearly a discrepancy in his visa application. His intended journey did not match with what he proposed to do on the ground.‘’He applied for business visa…what kind of business visa is this?’’ the spokesperson asked.

Meanwhile, in a video conference from the UK, Carlile said he was denied entry into India under pressure from the Bangladeshi government. He said the Indian authorities gave him “no true reason” for revoking his visa and denying him entry into India on his arrival on Wednesday night.

Asked about the MEA’s assertion that his intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application, Carlile said it was “completely untrue” and a “lie”.