politics
Modi Leaves Norway Press Event Without Answering Questions
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left a joint news conference in Norway without responding to a reporter's question about taking questions from the press. The exchange occurred during a two-day visit that included meetings with Norway's prime minister and participation in the India-Nordic Summit.
May 20, 5:06 AM·1m read1 source
Al JazeeraAudio version
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left a joint news conference in Norway on Monday without answering a question from a Norwegian journalist about taking questions from the press. Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen from the daily newspaper Dagsavisen asked Modi why he would not take questions from the freest press in the world.
Modi walked out of the room without replying. Svendsen followed him and asked whether he deserved the trust of the Norwegian government, but received no response.
Modi has not held a single news conference in India during his 12-year term in office. On foreign trips he has rarely taken questions, including two instances in Washington, DC, in 2023. During the Norway visit he met with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Monday and took part in the third India-Nordic Summit on Tuesday.
George responded by discussing India's historical contributions and its role in sharing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
India is ranked 157th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index. Opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Modi on social media, writing that when there is nothing to hide there is nothing to fear. Kunal Majumder of the Committee to Protect Journalists told Al Jazeera that the absence of regular open news conferences by leaders of major democracies raises concerns for press freedom advocates.
Svendsen later wrote on X that journalism is sometimes confrontational and that she seeks answers rather than talking points. She also reported receiving online comments after the exchanges.
