Modi’s Nordic visit: MEA defends India’s human rights after Norwegian journalist’s query

India has firmly rejected allegations of human rights violations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Europe visit, with senior diplomat Sibi George stressing India’s constitutional values and global trustworthiness. The remarks came after Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen questioned India’s democratic credentials during Modi’s Oslo stop for the India-Nordic summit.

Oslo: For the second time in three days, India has categorically rejected allegations of human rights violations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Europe, highlighting the country’s constitutional values of justice, liberty, and freedom of expression.

Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, made the remarks while responding to Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen’s question about why India should be trusted given its alleged human rights violations.

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The senior diplomat was addressing a press conference on Monday night to brief the media on PM Modi’s bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Modi was in Oslo to attend the third India-Nordic summit.

Earlier, Svendsen unsuccessfully attempted to ask a question to the Indian prime minister after he and Store made their media statements. The media was told the two leaders wouldn’t take questions at the joint interaction.

Subsequently, the Indian Embassy in Norway responded to Svendsen’s social media post on the issue and said she was “most welcome to come and ask your questions” at a press briefing organised by the mission.

The Embassy is organising a press briefing on the Prime Minister’s Visit this evening at 9:30 pm and you are most welcome to come and ask your questions there, it said.

George had faced a similar question on Saturday evening from two Dutch journalists in The Hague on the perceived slide in freedom of expression in India.

Modi reached Oslo after visiting the Netherlands and Sweden.

Svendsen was critical of PM Modi not taking questions at the joint media interaction.

As her question at George’s media briefing and the diplomat’s response triggered a controversy, PM Store reportedly said that leaders of all the Nordic nations have talked to journalists from different news outlets.

He noted that India may have different traditions and he respects them.

In answering Svendsen’s question, George elaborated on why India has been a trusted partner of so many countries globally and cited New Delhi’s successful hosting of the G20 summit, the Voice of the Global South summits and the recent AI Impact Summit.

The diplomat also made a mention of India sending vaccines to over 100 countries during the Covid-19 pandemic and argued that the country is “trusted” globally for its rich contribution in addressing pressing challenges.

“India is a civilisational country which offered something unique to the world and it continues to offer,” he said.

George said India’s Constitution guarantees a sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic, and ensures justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship as well as equality of opportunity through the fundamental rights and principles.

“We are one-sixth of the total population of the world, but not one-sixth of the problems of the world.”

“People have no understanding of the scale of India. They read one or two reports published by some God-forsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions. Don’t worry about it. We are proud to be a democracy; we are a democratic society for centuries,” he said.

On Tuesday evening, Svendsen posted on ‘X’ a video of Store answering her question in the Norwegian language.

Asking my prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre about why Norway refers to India as a democracy when the Indian PM has not had a press conference, she said in the text accompanying the video.

“Is not a free press important to democracy anymore? Støre points to India holding elections. He does acknowledge differences in press culture, but also points to India’s large population,” she said.