India firmly pushed back against concerns over press freedom and human rights raised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oslo, with a senior Ministry of External Affairs official describing certain international NGO reports as “ignorant” and lacking an understanding of India’s scale and diversity.

The remarks came during a media interaction in Norway, where a journalist questioned India’s democratic credentials and asked why the country should be trusted on issues related to media freedom and minority rights.

Responding to the query, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s constitutional framework and democratic institutions. He said India’s Constitution guarantees fundamental rights and provides legal remedies for citizens if those rights are violated.

“We are one-sixth of the total population of the world, but not one-sixth of the problems of the world,” the diplomat said while stressing that India believes in equality, human rights and the rule of law.

He also highlighted the size and diversity of India’s media ecosystem, pointing to the large number of television channels and multilingual news coverage operating across the country. According to him, many foreign observers fail to fully understand India’s complexity and instead rely on selective reports published by NGOs.

The exchange took place during PM Modi’s Norway visit, where he held talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on trade, green technology, blue economy and investment cooperation.

The sharp response from the Indian side also followed recent criticism reportedly linked to remarks from Dutch political leaders concerning press freedom and minority rights in India. New Delhi had rejected those observations as well, calling India a vibrant democracy with strong constitutional protections.

India highlights democratic framework during Norway visit

During the interaction, the Indian diplomat reiterated that the country follows the rule of law and maintains democratic accountability through courts and constitutional mechanisms. He said India’s diversity and scale often make it difficult for outsiders to fully understand domestic debates and governance challenges.

PM Modi’s Norway visit is part of broader diplomatic engagements with Nordic countries aimed at strengthening partnerships in trade, clean energy, technology and maritime sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands witnessed a diplomatic exchange after reported remarks by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on press freedom and minority rights in India drew a sharp response from New Delhi.

India rejected the comments, with Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George saying the concerns reflected a “lack of understanding” about India’s democratic system and social structure.

Addressing the issue during a media briefing in the Netherlands, the Indian diplomat described India as a “vibrant democracy” and pointed to the country’s electoral participation and diversity as evidence of democratic strength. He noted that recent elections in India saw voter participation crossing 90 per cent in some regions.

According to reports, the Dutch Prime Minister had raised concerns linked to press freedom and the condition of minority rights in India before his meeting with PM Modi in The Hague. However, sources indicated that the matter was not formally discussed during the bilateral talks between the two leaders.

India also underlined that people from different faiths coexist peacefully in the country and highlighted the nation’s democratic institutions and constitutional protections.

The exchange came during PM Modi’s visit aimed at strengthening ties between India and the Netherlands across sectors including trade, technology, energy and strategic cooperation. The two countries also discussed expanding bilateral partnerships during high-level meetings in The Hague.

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that American and Nigerian forces had killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, whom he described as the global second-in-command of the Islamic State group (ISIS), during a joint military operation in Africa.

According to Trump, the operation was conducted under his direction and involved US forces working alongside the Armed Forces of Nigeria in what he called a “meticulously planned” and “very complex” mission.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said Abu Bilal al-Minuki believed he could remain hidden in Africa, but intelligence sources had tracked his movements. He also claimed the ISIS leader had been among the “most active terrorists in the world.”

Trump thanked the Nigerian government for cooperating in the operation and said the killing would weaken ISIS’s global activities. However, officials did not immediately release details about the exact location or timing of the mission.

There has been no independent confirmation yet from Nigerian authorities regarding the operation or al-Minuki’s role within the terror organisation.