A Norwegian journalist, Helle Lyng Svendsen, claims that the Indian embassy in Oslo cancelled her visa for a conference on the future of media and press freedom. She alleges that this may be due to her criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire businesspersons Adani and Ambani.
On Wednesday, Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen alleged that the Indian embassy in Oslo had cancelled her visa for a conference on the future of media and press freedom. The Bharat Summit was scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, India, and Svendsen was invited as a panelist and speaker. She stated that she had received political clearance, a visa, and was scheduled to speak at the event. However, 10 minutes before leaving for the airport, she received a message from the embassy asking her not to travel. According to Svendsen, she has not been given a reason for the cancellation of her visa. She believes it may be politically motivated and possibly related to her criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire businesspersons Adani and Ambani, as well as her positive opinion pieces about the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign and an interview with its founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Svendsen said that she was also wondering if her criticism of these individuals 'might also have something to do with this'. She is hoping the Indian government would reconsider its decision, stating 'The ball is now in your court.'
In May 2026, Svendsen sparked a debate about the role of the press in a democracy and refocused attention on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's refusal to address press conferences. During a joint press meet with her Norwegian counterpart, she asked Modi why he does not take questions from the 'freest press in the world'. After Modi left the hall without acknowledging Svendsen's query, she said on social media that she had not actually expected the Indian leader to take her question. Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party had claimed that Svendsen had acted inappropriately and some said that she had failed to understand that this was a 'press briefing' and not a 'press conference' at which questions could be asked.
Since he came to power in 2014, Modi has avoided press conferences, both at home and abroad. He took unscripted questions from reporters at media meets only twice: in the United Kingdom in 2015 and in the United States in 2023.
Source:
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