MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George (right) responded to questions on democratic rights in India posed by a Norwegian journalist (left) saying New Delhi alone has 200 24-hour news channels “breaking news” in multiple languages every single evening and there is no understanding of India's scale
MEA blasts 'ignorant, godforsaken NGOs' for Norwegian journalist's questions in Oslo
MEA Secretary Sibi George ditches the diplomatic playbook to lecture a local journalist on India's scale, while Rahul Gandhi uses viral meltdown to target Modi
In Norway, a country that regularly tops the World Press Freedom Index, asking tough, unscripted questions may be the norm for journalists.
But, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Ministry of External Affairs entourage, it was a jarring reality check. While PM Modi quietly sidestepped the questions posed by an intrepid female Norwegian journalist, the composure of Indian foreign ministry officials cracked and they completely went off the diplomatic playbook, causing the interaction to go viral.
Sharp exchange
This is what happened. On Monday (May 18) night, at a press conference, diplomacy was thrown to the winds when a sharp exchange ensued between a ministry of external affairs (MEA) official and a female Norweigian journalist, Helle Lyng.
At the press conference, Lyng, repeatedly interrupted Indian diplomats with questions on press freedom, minority rights and human rights in India. She even flounced out of the room at one point only to awkwardly wander back a few minutes later, when she realised the briefing was continuing without her.
'Ignorant NGOs'
Lyng even went on to demand why India should even be "trusted”, when it is so low in the press freedom ranking. That stung.
Also read: An Indian PM hasn't been to Norway in 43 years; so why now?
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George lost his cool and went off the script. He snapped and told critics to stop getting their worldview from Google searches and sketchy pamphlets. He lambasted selective reports published by “ignorant NGOs” for this lack of understanding of the country’s scale and complexity.
“They read one or two news reports published by some godforsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions,” George fired back, completely dropping the usual diplomatic filter.
Scale of India
George then went on to boast how New Delhi alone has 200 24-hour news channels “breaking news” in multiple languages every single evening. “At least 200 TV channels in Delhi alone, in English, Hindi and multiple languages. People have no understanding of the scale of India,” he said.
Also read: Modi receives Norways's highest civilian award, highlights India's 'rapid transformation'
And then decided to launch into a history lesson. He reminded the European audience that while some Western nations took their sweet time allowing women anywhere near a ballot box, India handed out universal suffrage the second it got independence in 1947. He then dropped the ultimate clincher:
“What is the best example of human rights? The right to change government, the right to vote. And that is what is happening in India. We are so proud of that.”
Rahul Gandhi pitches in
The seeds to this dramatic showdown was sown actually a day earlier on X (formerly Twitter), where Lyng complained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hadn't personally taken her question, bragging about Norway's #1 spot on the World Press Freedom Index while mocking India's ranking.
The Indian Embassy, responded publicly on X, inviting her to the briefing hotel to ask whatever she wanted. She showed up, and shot of questions.
Naturally, the internet drama promoted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to seize the moment, reposting Lyng’s complaints to take a swipe at the PM:
“When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. What happens to India’s image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?”
Confrontational journalism
Lyng later took to X to defend her aggressive style, pointing out that journalism is "sometimes confrontational" and that it's her duty to interrupt people to get "answers and not just talking points."
Obviously, in India, it appears there is no question of confrontational journalism as it died a quiet death some time ago.