During his two-day visit to Norway, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store on Monday. However, instead of answering questions from reporters, Modi left the room when journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen of the Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen asked: 'Prime Minister Modi, why won't you answer a few questions from the world's freest press?'
When the journalist followed up, asking, 'Are you worthy of the trust of our government?', Modi did not respond. The incident quickly sparked debate on social media and in Indian media, raising questions about the Indian government's attitude toward independent journalism.
Later that day, during a separate press briefing, journalist Svendsen pressed Indian Foreign Secretary (West) Sibi George on human rights issues. Instead of answering directly, George spoke about India's ancient history, including the invention of chess and the number zero, while emphasizing India's contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Norwegian journalist interrupted and insisted on a direct answer, George grew visibly angry and asserted: 'India is a civilized nation.'
This is not the first time Modi has been criticized for avoiding the press. Over his 12 years in power, he has never held a single press conference in India. On the rare occasions he has given interviews abroad—only twice in Washington D.C. in 2023—questions were submitted in advance or provided in writing, limiting the opportunity for follow-up challenges.
In 2023, when Wall Street Journal reporter Sabrina Siddiqui asked about the treatment of religious minorities and press freedom, Modi replied that 'democracy is in India's DNA.' Following that exchange, the journalist faced an online harassment campaign from supporters of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks India 157th out of 180 in its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, a drop of six places from 2025. Kunal Majumder, Asia-Pacific coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), said the space for journalists to ask difficult questions has 'shrunk significantly' over the past decade.
'The pressure Indian journalists face is not just direct publication restrictions. It includes online harassment, lawsuits, tax audits, and the application of laws with very broad scope and strict bail conditions, such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA),' Majumder said.
The reaction from Indian authorities and political circles has also drawn attention. Opposition Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi wrote on social media: 'When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What will India's image be when the world sees a Prime Minister fleeing in fear from a few questions?'
