A sharp exchange broke out during a press briefing in Norway after a journalist repeatedly questioned India’s record on press freedom and human rights during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Nordic nation.
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George pushed back strongly against the line of questioning, defending India’s democratic institutions, constitutional safeguards and media landscape, while accusing sections of the international discourse of misunderstanding the scale and diversity of the country.
The exchange took place in Oslo on Monday after a journalist asked why the world should “trust India” on issues related to democracy, media freedom and human rights. George, while responding, repeatedly urged the journalist not to interrupt him and said India’s constitutional framework guaranteed equal rights and legal remedies to all citizens.
“You asked a question. This is my press conference. Let me answer that question,” George said during the interaction.
He said India’s democratic structure itself was the strongest response to concerns raised internationally.
“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,” he said.
#WATCH | Oslo, Norway | MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George responds to question by reporters from Norway – “Why should we trust you?” ” Will the PM take critical questions from the Indian Press?” pic.twitter.com/iaEGIlVG08
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026
MEA highlights India’s democracy and voting rights
George pointed out that women in India received voting rights from the very beginning of independence, unlike many countries where suffrage came decades later.
“In 1947, we gave the freedom to vote for our women. We won the freedom together, and they won itself. Many countries I know, the voting right for women came after several decades after India gave that freedom,” he said.
Calling voting rights the “best example of human rights”, George said India’s democratic process allowed people to elect and change governments freely.
“And 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 added.
#WATCH | Oslo, Norway | MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George says, “…We are one sixth of the total population of the world, but not one sixth of the problems of the world. We have a constitution which guarantees the fundamental rights of the people. We have equal rights for the… pic.twitter.com/ulAOOzkA7J
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2026
‘People have no understanding of the scale of India’
The MEA Secretary also defended India’s media ecosystem and said international perceptions were often shaped by selective reports.
“You know how many breaking news coming every day in the evening. At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in English language, in Hindi language and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India,” George said.
In one of the sharper remarks during the briefing, he criticised reports published by what he termed “ignorant NGOs”.
“They read one or two news reports published by some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” he said.
George further asserted that India followed the rule of law and maintained its commitments under democratic and legal frameworks.
“India is a country which believes in the rule of law. We have always been following rules wherever it is. We play by the book. That is India’s reputation,” he said.
India’s global legacy also highlighted
Responding to broader questions about why nations should trust India, George referred to the country’s contributions during global crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, and spoke about India’s civilisational legacy.
“You look around and you see an India connect everywhere in the world. India has the numbers you see on your phones. Shoonya, zero, originated in India. Chess originated in India,” he said.
He also referred to yoga and ancient Indian literature while underlining India’s global cultural influence.
During the briefing, George additionally remarked that despite accounting for nearly one-sixth of the world’s population, India did not contribute “one-sixth of the problems of the world”.
The comments came after a Norwegian newspaper commentator claimed on social media platform X that Prime Minister Modi did not take her question during the media interaction.