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Sibi George, an Indian diplomat, has gone viral after responding to a Norwegian journalist who questioned why India should be trusted in light of its alleged human rights violations.

Replying to Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen, George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, explained why India has remained a trusted partner for many countries around the world and referred to New Delhi’s successful hosting of the G20 summit, the Voice of the Global South summits, and the recent AI Impact Summit.

Sibi George’s MEA journey

Sibi George is a 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service officer who has been serving as the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs since 2025. Born in Kerala’s Kottayam, George holds a post-graduate degree in Political Science from St. Thomas College, Pala, and also earned a diploma in Arabic from The American University in Cairo.

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George started his diplomatic career in 1993 in Cairo, Egypt, where he worked at the Indian Embassy as a Political Officer.

He has also served in Indian diplomatic missions in Doha, Islamabad, Washington, Tehran, and Riyadh in different roles.

Back in India, George worked in the East Asia Division of the MEA and also served as coordinator of the India–Africa Forum Summit. George additionally served as India’s Ambassador to Switzerland, the Vatican City, and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Diplomat backs India’s record

George said India’s Constitution guarantees a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic and provides justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship, along with equality of opportunity, through its fundamental rights and guiding principles.

“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 have been a democratic society for centuries,” he said.

Responding to the Norwegian journalist, George also said that India granted equal rights to women from the very first day of independence, unlike several other countries, thereby reflecting its strong commitment to equality and human rights.

“In 1947, we gave the freedom to vote to our women. We fought for our freedom together and won the right to vote from day one. I know of many countries where women’s voting rights came after several decades. We believe in equality; We believe in human rights. If anyone whose rights are violated, they have the right to go to court. We are proud to be a democracy,” he said.

Question bid draws attention

Earlier, Svendsen unsuccessfully tried to ask a question to the Indian prime minister after he and his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Store, delivered their media statements. The media had already been informed that the two leaders would not take questions during the joint interaction.

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