During a media interaction in Oslo, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic record and media landscape. He said foreign observers often misunderstand the country by relying on selective reports.
Extraordinary scenes unfolded during the Ministry of External Affairs’ press briefing in Norway on Monday night after a female Norwegian journalist repeatedly interrupted Indian diplomats with questions on press freedom, minority rights and human rights in India, triggering a sharp response from MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George.
The tense exchange escalated after journalist Helle Lyng questioned why India should be “trusted” on issues concerning democratic freedoms and rights. At one point during the interaction, she even walked out of the briefing room before later returning to the presser.
Responding firmly to Lyng’s questions at the briefing, George defended India’s democratic framework and accused critics of forming opinions based on selective reports published by “ignorant NGOs” without understanding the country’s scale and complexity.
“You know how many stories are up here [in India]. We have a lot of breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in English, Hindi and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India,” he said. “They [India’s critics] read one or two news reports published by some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” the senior diplomat added.
George also pointed to India’s constitutional guarantees and democratic institutions while rebutting the allegations raised during the briefing. He said India’s Constitution ensured fundamental rights for all citizens and provided legal remedies in cases of violations. “We have a Constitution which guarantees the rights of the people, fundamental rights of the people. We have equal rights for the women of our country, which is very important,” George said.
The MEA official further highlighted India granting voting rights to women immediately after Independence, contrasting it with several countries where women got franchise rights decades later. “In 1947, we gave the freedom to vote for our women. Many countries, I know, the voting right for women came several decades after India gave that freedom,” he added.
George asserted that India’s electoral democracy itself remained the strongest proof of its commitment to equality and human rights. “What is the best example of human rights? The right to change government, the right to vote. And that is what is happening in India. We are so proud of that,” he said.
The confrontation came a day after Lyng posted on X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not taken her question during his Norway visit. “Norway has the number one spot on the World Press Freedom Index, India is at 157th, competing with Palestine, Emirates & Cuba. It is our job to question the powers we cooperate with,” she wrote.
The Indian Embassy in Norway responded publicly to the journalist’s post, inviting her to attend the official media briefing. “Dear Ms @HelleLyngSvends, The Embassy is organizing a press briefing on the Prime Minister’s Visit this evening at 9:30pm at hotel Raddisson Blu Plaza hotel. You are most welcome to come and ask your questions there,” the embassy said on X.
The row also drew political reactions in India, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sharing Lyng’s X post and taking a swipe at Prime Minister Modi.
“When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?” Gandhi wrote on X.
