A press conference in Oslo has ended in tension after a European journalist walked out and then returned in protest when a senior Indian official repeatedly declined to address specific questions regarding human rights violations.
The exchange highlighted a growing rift between international media and New Delhi over domestic policy and press freedom.
The confrontation began when a European reporter challenged Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) for India, on the country’s human rights record.
“Why should India be trusted”? the reporter asked, while also questioning if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would ever take critical questions from the Indian press.
Ambassador George responded by pivoting the conversation toward India’s ancient history and its contributions to global health.
“India is a civilisational country of 5,000 years old,” George said, citing the origins of zero, chess, and yoga before highlighting India’s “Vaccine Maitri” initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
