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Modi & Norway PM Jonas Gahr Støre (right) address a joint press conference after bilateral talks, in Oslo, on Monday. (Photo:PTI)

Oslo, May 19: During a recent visit to Oslo, India firmly addressed inquiries from a Norwegian journalist regarding press freedom and human rights, asserting that the Indian government ensures fundamental rights for all citizens and has legal frameworks in place to tackle any violations.

This incident occurred when Prime Minister Modi was in Norway, where journalist Helle Lyng pressed him to engage with the media. Footage from the event captured the Prime Minister exiting the room as she attempted to ask her questions.

Subsequently, the Indian Embassy in Oslo invited Lyng to an official media briefing led by senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, focusing on the Prime Minister's visit.

During this briefing, Lyng posed several critical questions, including, "As we enhance our partnership, why should we trust you? Can you assure us that you will work to prevent human rights violations in your country? Will the Prime Minister eventually take questions from the Indian press?"

In response, Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the MEA, defended India's democratic principles, constitutional integrity, and its record on rights and freedoms, while also criticizing narratives propagated by what he termed as 'ignorant NGOs'.

George emphasized, "Our constitution guarantees the rights of the people, including fundamental rights. We have ensured equal voting rights for women since 1947, which many countries adopted decades later. We believe in equality and human rights, exemplified by the right to vote and change governments, which is actively practiced in India. We take pride in this."

He also highlighted the vast and diverse media landscape in India, noting that its scale is often misunderstood by international observers.

George pointed out that India boasts a rich media ecosystem operating in various languages, with numerous television news channels across the nation.

He criticized the tendency of some foreign observers to base their assessments on selective reports, stating, "They read one or two news articles from some uninformed NGOs and then come to ask questions," adding that India's internal discussions and complexities are often oversimplified in foreign narratives.

When asked why the global community should trust India, George referenced the country's contributions during significant global challenges, such as the Covid pandemic, and its civilizational impact on the world.

These comments follow a similar rejection of inquiries regarding 'press freedom' and 'minority rights' during Prime Minister Modi's recent trip to the Netherlands.