OSLO, May 20 : India on Monday firmly rejected allegations of human rights violations, asserting that the country’s Constitution guarantees justice, liberty and freedom of expression.
Responding to questions raised by Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen during a media briefing in Oslo, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, defended India’s democratic values and global credibility.
George was briefing the media after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
The journalist had earlier attempted to question Modi during a joint media interaction, despite being informed that no questions would be taken. Later, the Indian Embassy in Norway invited her to attend a separate press briefing to raise her queries.
Addressing concerns over alleged rights violations, George said India remains a trusted global partner, citing its successful hosting of the G20 Summit, Voice of the Global South summits and the recent AI Impact Summit.
He also highlighted India’s vaccine outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the country supplied vaccines to over 100 nations.
“India is a civilisational country which offered something unique to the world and it continues to offer,” George said.
He stressed that India’s Constitution guarantees justice, liberty of thought and expression, equality and democratic rights.
“We are proud to be a democracy; we are a democratic society for centuries,” he said, while criticising reports by “ignorant NGOs” that question India’s democratic credentials.
George had faced similar questions from Dutch journalists during Modi’s earlier visit to The Hague before arriving in Oslo via Sweden.
