Helle Lyng Questions Modi in Oslo, Sparks Backlash — Norwegian Journalist Question Narendra Modi

Helle Lyng’s norwegian journalist question narendra modi in Oslo this week set off a wave of backlash in India after she called out the Indian prime minister as he left a joint press appearance with Jonas Gahr Store. Modi did not answer, and Lyng later pressed Indian diplomats on human rights allegations at a separate briefing in the Norwegian capital.

Oslo Press Appearance

Lyng asked, “Prime Minister Modi, why don't you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” as Modi walked away after the appearance with Norway’s prime minister. Modi was in Oslo for two days this week for bilateral talks and a summit, and the exchange quickly spread online in India.

Lyng later told Hindi, “That's how confrontational journalism works. You have to try to interrupt. You have to try to get more answers. And the answers that you are looking for. And, no, I did not get that.” She also said, “I know that your prime minister does not like to take questions, but it was my duty to ask,” and said she writes for national newspapers in Norway.

Indian Embassy Briefing

The Indian embassy in Norway then shared Lyng’s post on X and invited her to an evening press briefing. There, she asked, “Why should we trust you (India)? Can you try to stop the human rights violations that goes on in your country?” after earlier questioning Indian diplomats about alleged human rights violations.

Senior Indian diplomat Sibi George rejected the allegations and said, “People have no understanding of the scale of India. They read one or two reports published by some God-forsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions. Don't worry about it. We are proud to be a democracy; we are a democratic society for centuries,” George also said India’s Constitution guarantees democracy and freedoms of thought, expression, belief and worship.

Backlash Online in India

After the exchange, Lyng faced intense online backlash and trolling. Some social media users in India branded her a foreign plant and a spy, while some Indian news channels criticized her approach as disrespectful toward a head of state. The episode landed in a familiar pattern for Modi: he has not held a traditional solo press conference since taking office in 2014 and has rarely answered questions from journalists on foreign trips.

The immediate question now is whether Modi’s visit will leave any room for more direct questioning of India’s leaders, or whether the confrontation in Oslo becomes the main reference point for the trip. Lyng said her questions were based on trusted sources including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and the clash has already turned into a test of how far journalists can push for answers in front of two prime ministers.