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🇮🇳 India /Culture & Society

‘Go to court’: MEA's tense exchange with Norwegian press over PM Modi ‘skipping questions’

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indian journalists questioned MEA officials about Prime Minister Narendra Modi not taking questions during a joint press statement with his Norwegian counterpart.
  • MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George responded by discussing India's civilizational history and its contributions to the world, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The exchange highlighted a perceived difference in press freedom between Norway, which ranks first in the World Press Freedom Index, and India, which is ranked 157th.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing took a tense turn as journalists, particularly from Norway, pressed Indian officials on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's perceived avoidance of questions during a joint press statement. The core of the contention was the stark contrast between Norway's top ranking in the World Press Freedom Index and India's significantly lower position, a point forcefully made by a Norwegian commentator.

Primeminister of India, Narendra Modi, would not take my question, I was not expecting him to.

— Helle LyngA Norwegian newspaper commentator shared a video of PM Modi leaving a press statement, noting he did not take her question.

MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George, faced with pointed questions about human rights violations and press freedom in India, opted for a robust defense of India's standing. Rather than directly addressing the press interaction, George launched into a detailed exposition of India's identity as a "civilisational country" with a 5,000-year history. He emphasized India's global contributions, citing its role in providing aid during the COVID-19 pandemic as a testament to its trustworthiness and commitment to the world.

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.

— Helle LyngThe Norwegian commentator highlighted the disparity in press freedom rankings between Norway and India.

This response, while highlighting India's achievements and historical significance, sidestepped the immediate journalistic query about press access. The MEA's approach suggests a strategy of framing India's global engagement and domestic narrative through the lens of its ancient civilization and its role as a responsible global player. The exchange underscores a recurring theme in India's foreign press interactions: a strong assertion of national pride and a defense against international criticism, often by pivoting to broader historical and civilizational narratives.

Why should we trust you?

— Norwegian JournalistA journalist questioned the basis of trust in India during the MEA briefing.

From an Indian perspective, the MEA's response can be seen as a firm rebuttal to what might be perceived as intrusive or biased questioning from Western media. The emphasis on India's civilizational heritage and its contributions to global well-being serves to counter narratives that focus solely on perceived shortcomings. The MEA's stance reflects a broader Indian diplomatic approach that seeks to project an image of a confident, self-assured nation with a rich past and a significant future, while also pushing back against external scrutiny on sensitive issues like press freedom.

Can you promise you will stop the human rights violation that goes on in your country?

— Norwegian JournalistA journalist directly asked if India would cease human rights violations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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