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Outrage erupts over Norwegian daily’s cartoon portraying PM Modi as snake charmer

A major controversy has erupted after Norway’s largest newspaper published a cartoon depicting PM Narendra Modi as a snake charmer, drawing widespread allegations of racism and a colonial mindset.

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A major diplomatic and social media row has erupted following the publication of a highly controversial cartoon by Norway’s largest broadsheet newspaper, Aftenposten, which depicts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “snake charmer”. The illustration has drawn widespread condemnation online, with critics, journalists, and citizens calling it “blatantly racist,” “derogatory,” and deeply rooted in old colonial-era stereotypes.

The cartoon, created by illustrator Marvin Halleraker, accompanied an opinion piece written by staff commentator Frank Rossavik ahead of the Prime Minister’s official visit to Oslo for the India-Nordic summit. The article featured a headline that auto-translates from Norwegian to “A clever and slightly annoying man” (or “A cunning and slightly disturbing man” in alternative translations). In the visual caricature, the Prime Minister of the world’s most populous country is shown cross-legged, holding a fuel-station pump nozzle shaped like a serpent rising out of a basket.

Lingering colonial mindsets in Western media

The “snake charmer” trope has historically been used by European colonial powers as an Orientalist shorthand to portray India as an exotic, primitive, and backward civilization rather than a technologically advancing global power. Netizens quickly highlighted the hypocrisy and irony of the imagery, noting that Western media frequently falls back on archaic visual slurs when they cannot counter India’s modern achievements, such as its massive digital public infrastructure and leading GDP growth rates.

The controversy has also drawn parallels to a similar incident in October 2022, when a prominent Spanish newspaper faced intense backlash for using snake-charmer symbolism to illustrate India’s economic rise. Social media users pointed out the deep irony that the Prime Minister himself has previously spoken at global forums—including his famous 2014 Madison Square Garden speech—about how India has successfully transitioned from being stereotyped as a “land of snake charmers” to a globally recognized powerhouse of technology-driven “mouse charmers”.

Simmering press row in Oslo

The inflammatory cartoon landed right in the middle of an already tense situation during the Prime Minister’s state visit to Norway. Earlier, a confrontation sparked online after a local commentator, Helle Lyng, publicly questioned why the Prime Minister did not open the floor to media queries during a joint press appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Lyng recorded the interaction and posted it on social media platforms, questioning whether international partners should trust New Delhi amid allegations concerning press freedom and human rights.

Responding firmly to the allegations during a subsequent press briefing, India’s Ministry of External Affairs Secretary, Sibi George, vehemently defended the nation’s democratic framework and robust press environment. The diplomat rebuked critics for forming highly distorted opinions based on selective reports published by “ignorant NGOs” without understanding the sheer scale, depth, and institutional complexity of modern India.

He highlighted that Delhi alone possesses at least 200 vibrant 24/7 news channels broadcasting across English, Hindi, and regional languages. The diplomat concluded by reaffirming that the Constitution fully guarantees fundamental rights and provides comprehensive legal remedies to all its citizens, countering the narrative pushed by sections of the European commentariat.

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India envoy Dinesh Trivedi meets PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman 

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met PM Modi after talks with Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman amid diplomatic tensions.

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India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a day after his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka.

According to the High Commission of India in Bangladesh, Trivedi sought PM Modi’s guidance on further strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh through a constructive and people-centric approach.

The meeting came a day after Trivedi held discussions with Tarique Rahman on matters of mutual interest and ways to advance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Dinesh Trivedi Meets Bangladesh PM

During his meeting with Tarique Rahman on Monday, Trivedi conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Modi and reiterated India’s commitment to working with the Bangladeshi administration and its people in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner.

The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and explored avenues for strengthening India-Bangladesh relations with a people-centric approach.

The engagement took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Trivedi also shared his experience of serving in Dhaka over the previous two months.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request

The meeting assumed significance as Bangladesh has expressed hope that India will expedite the extradition process involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted following a student-led uprising in 2024.

According to a statement issued by the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka also reiterated its request for India to return individuals it alleges were involved in the killing of Shahid Osman Hadi, a prominent figure associated with the July uprising who was shot on December 12, 2025.

Tarique Rahman stressed the need to create a suitable environment to take forward relations between Bangladesh and India.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir and other officials attended the meeting.

India-Bangladesh Ties Amid Diplomatic Friction

The latest high-level engagements come amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries following a virtual press interaction by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on August 5.

The event, organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia to mark the second anniversary of her ouster, prompted strong objections from Dhaka.

During the interaction, Hasina said she remained determined to return to Bangladesh in December and restore democracy, while acknowledging the possibility of imprisonment or a death sentence upon her return.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently registered a strong protest and said the development had affected public sentiment and complicated efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has said the government had no involvement in the event. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was organised by a private media entity and clarified that New Delhi did not endorse views expressed at the forum.

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Trump, PM Modi will resolve tariff issue over Russian oil trade, says US official

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue over US tariff threats linked to India’s Russian oil trade.

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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will resolve the issue surrounding the threat of US tariffs linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil, White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday.

Navarro’s remarks came days after the US Senate passed a bill authorising the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil. The measure argues that such purchases directly contribute to financing Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Navarro comments on India’s Russian oil trade

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Navarro said India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia before the Ukraine war began in 2022.

He alleged that India became heavily involved in the trade after Russia’s invasion and sold refined products on behalf of Russia, which he said helped support the Russian war effort.

“Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India was not involved in the oil trade with Russia, but afterwards it got heavily involved,” Navarro said.

The White House adviser also claimed that the issue had since been resolved and attributed some of the shift in India’s Russian oil trade to an opinion article he recently wrote in the Financial Times.

Trump and Modi will resolve issue, Navarro says

Navarro said the relationship between Trump and Modi would help address the tariff-related issue.

“The president and your prime minister have a very good working relationship. They are going to work that out amongst themselves,” he said, adding that it was not his place to intervene.

His comments come amid US concerns over countries purchasing Russian oil and proposed measures aimed at imposing additional tariffs on major buyers.

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US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill, India-China face 100% tariff risk

The US Senate has passed a Russia sanctions bill that could allow 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

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The US Senate has approved a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including India and China.

The legislation was passed by an 86-11 vote and will now move to the US House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.

The bill is named in honour of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine who died on July 11. Graham had pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

India and China among major Russian energy buyers

The legislation gives the US president the power to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.

India and China are among those countries, along with Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.

The bill also contains an exception for countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.

What does the Russia sanctions bill contain?

Apart from the proposed tariffs, the legislation includes sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military officials, financial institutions and energy projects.

The bill would also expand US sanctions to older and reflagged oil tankers allegedly used by Moscow to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil and energy revenues.

At the same time, the White House would have the option to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so is in the national interest.

Bill also extends Iran sanctions law

The legislation also contains a provision related to Iran. It would extend the expiration date of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 until 2031.

The law penalises companies that invest in Iran’s energy sector.

The bill’s passage in the Senate marks the next step in the US legislative process, but it still needs approval from the House of Representatives before it can move forward.

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