New Delhi’s turn to question India’s journalist-minority rights during Modi’s foreign tour

After the Netherlands, Norway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign tour again raised questions about the freedom of the press in India and the rights of religious minorities. The Prime Minister set foot in Norway on Monday. A journalist threw a question at him there. However, Modi did not answer that question. Later, the press conference was held by the Special Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, CB George. In his words, foreign journalists are asking such questions based on the information of some irrelevant NGOs.

A few days ago, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2026 annual report said that India ranks 157 out of 180 countries on the Press Freedom Index. Norway is at the top. In second place is the Netherlands. Modi completed his visit to the Netherlands on Sunday and set foot in Norway on Monday. During Modi’s visit to these two countries, questions were raised about the freedom of the press. Before Modi set foot in the Netherlands, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Zetten said that the Dutch government was concerned not only about the freedom of the Indian press, but also about the situation of the Indian minority. Jeten also claimed that New Delhi has been repeatedly warned about these issues.

In a press conference CB George was asked by a Dutch journalist, India has enough concern about minority rights and freedom of press. That is why Modi did not hold a joint press conference? In response, George clarified, “Actually we have to hear these questions because the questioner lacks knowledge.” After going to Norway after the Netherlands, George had to hear similar questions. He was clearly asked, can India be trusted with freedom of press, human rights, rights of minorities?

George answered this question in a press conference in Oslo. He said, “India has a lot of media. Delhi alone has at least 200 news channels that carry breaking news every day. Critics read one or two reports in them, which are produced by worthless and irrelevant NGOs. Our constitution has given equal rights to all.” Hearing this answer, the journalist left the conference.