By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to the press came under renewed focus on Monday after a Norwegian journalist questioned him over press freedom during his visit to Oslo, marking another flashpoint in a Europe tour that has repeatedly seen scrutiny on media freedom and governance issues.
The brief exchange took place as Modi concluded a joint appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. As the two leaders were leaving the venue after delivering statements, Helle Lyng, a commentator with Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, called out to the Indian Prime Minister.
“Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” she asked loudly. The question went unanswered as Modi exited the venue alongside Støre.
Later, Lyng said on social media platform X that she was not surprised by the lack of response. She noted that Norway ranks first on the World Press Freedom Index, while India stands at 157th out of 180 countries in the latest report published by Reporters Without Borders.
She added that it is the responsibility of journalists to question political leaders, particularly during international engagements, and shared a video of her attempting to approach the Indian leader as he left the stage area.
The Oslo exchange comes days after a similar episode in The Hague, where Modi’s visit to the Netherlands also saw questions raised by Dutch journalists over press freedom and minority rights in India during a joint interaction involving Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
At that briefing, journalist Ashwant Nandram of Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant questioned why both leaders were not taking questions from the media, noting that it is customary in the Netherlands for prime ministers to address journalists after such engagements. He also referenced concerns expressed by the Dutch leadership over developments in India.
Responding to the questions, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George said such concerns arose due to a “lack of understanding” about India. He highlighted India’s large population, its extensive digital penetration, high voter participation, and its “5,000-year-old pluralistic heritage” as evidence of the country’s democratic credentials and societal diversity.
His remarks were challenged by another journalist, Merel Thie of NRC, who pointed out that the concerns cited by Nandram were in fact echoed by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten himself. She asked whether the Indian delegation disagreed with those concerns.
George maintained India’s position, reiterating that the country’s realities were often misunderstood and emphasising that India’s democratic framework and development trajectory needed to be viewed in a broader context.
He later added that he had not seen the specific statement referenced and reiterated that India remained a “beautiful country” with strong democratic institutions.
The exchanges in Oslo and The Hague have added to ongoing discussions around Modi’s interactions with the international media during foreign visits. Over the years, the Indian Prime Minister has rarely held open press conferences that include unscripted questions, a practice that has often drawn attention from foreign correspondents and media observers.
The last widely noted instance of an open press interaction involving Modi took place during his 2023 visit to the United States, where he answered questions alongside then US President Joe Biden. During that interaction, questions were raised about minority rights and freedom of speech in India, which the Prime Minister addressed by referring to constitutional provisions and India’s democratic structure.
Following that press conference, one of the journalists who asked questions reportedly faced online harassment, prompting a response from the US administration condemning such targeting of the media.
India currently ranks 157th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. The ranking has been repeatedly cited by journalists in recent international interactions, including the exchange in Oslo.
The Norwegian journalist, Lyng, later reiterated on social media that it is the role of the press to hold governments accountable, particularly in diplomatic settings where leaders often highlight bilateral cooperation and shared values.
The latest episode adds to a series of interactions during Modi’s ongoing five-nation tour in which questions around media access, press freedom, and government accountability have emerged alongside discussions on trade, diplomacy, and strategic partnerships.