Outrage among journalists as PM Modi avoids questions during Norway visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced sharp criticism from journalists in Oslo for evading direct questions about India’s human rights record and press freedom during his visit for the third India-Nordic Summit.

The incident began following a joint press briefing with his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre, which concluded without a question-and-answer session. As the leaders were leaving, Helle Lyng, a journalist with the local newspaper Dagsavisen, confronted the Indian leader, asking, “Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” She also reportedly questioned how Norway could trust India amid ongoing rights violations. Prime Minister Modi ignored the inquiries and continued to walk away, with an elevator door closing as the reporter tried to press the matter.

The tense atmosphere carried over to a subsequent briefing held by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Lyng again pressed officials, asking, “Why should we trust you?” and about human rights violations in the country. In response, MEA’s Sibi George stated, “If anyone whose rights are violated, they have the right to go to court. We are proud to be a democracy.”

The same briefing saw another heated exchange when a different journalist asked when the prime minister would begin taking independent questions. A spokesperson dismissed the query by calling for the “next question,” prompting the journalist to walk out of the hall in protest. Observers described the Indian delegation’s conduct as arrogant, with another official reportedly deflecting the situation by speaking about yoga and India’s ancient civilization.

Mr. Modi’s visit to Oslo, part of a six-day, five-nation tour, was also met with demonstrations. A significant number of pro-Khalistan activists gathered at the summit venue, chanting slogans, denouncing his presence, and labelling him a “global terrorist.”