RAJIV KUMAR

@RahulGandhi Hello, would you be available for a phone interview Tuesday Norwegian time. It would be interesting to hear how you view the visit to Norway.

@bainjal I was just getting water and came back 😊 thank you for your perspective.

Full blown clash at MEA presser as reporter asks "why should India be trusted". MEA's Secy West @AmbSibiGeorge responds by India's role in providing global help during Covid, India's constitution, fundamental rights. The reporter leaves the presser, then later comes back.

@sachinsingh1010 Not how it works in Norway. Which is where we are.

Dear Ms @HelleLyngSvends, The Embassy is organizing a press briefing on the Prime Minister’s Visit this evening at 9:30pm at hotel Raddisson BluPlaza hotel. You are most welcome to come and ask your questions there.

Full blown clash at MEA presser as reporter asks "why should India be trusted". MEA's Secy West @AmbSibiGeorge responds by India's role in providing global help during Covid, India's constitution, fundamental rights. The reporter leaves the presser, then later comes back.

इतिहास गवाह है — जब न्याय की कुर्सी पर बैठे लोग निष्पक्षता से हटते दिखाई देते हैं, तब लोकतंत्र की आत्मा घायल होती है। कमाल मौला मस्जिद मामले में ऐतिहासिक फैसला देने वाली संयुक्त पीठ में शामिल न्यायमूर्ति विजय कुमार शुक्ला के पुत्र सुजय शुक्ला को लगभग उसी दिन सरकारी पैनल अधिवक्ता नियुक्त किया जाना कई गंभीर सवाल खड़े करता है??? इतना ही नहीं, यह जानकर और भी आश्चर्य होता है कि सुजय शुक्‍ला, वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता एवं भारत सरकार के अतिरिक्त सॉलिसिटर जनरल श्री सुनील जैन जी के सहायक भी हैं, जिन्होंने इसी मामले में एएसआई @ASIGoI का पक्ष रखा था। ऐसे में जनता के मन में यह प्रश्न स्वाभाविक है — क्या यह केवल संयोग है? या फिर सत्ता, व्यवस्था और प्रभाव का सुनियोजित प्रयोग? जब न्यायपालिका से जुड़े इतने बड़े फैसले के आसपास ऐसे नियुक्ति आदेश सामने आते हैं, तो सवाल उठना लोकतंत्र की सेहत के लिए आवश्यक है। न्याय केवल होना नहीं चाहिए, न्याय होता हुआ दिखना भी चाहिए। अगर न्याय के मंदिर में भी पक्षपात की आहट सुनाई देने लगे, तो लोकतंत्र का भरोसा कमजोर होता है। शुक्ला जी को अपने बेटे के भविष्य का कितना ध्यान रखना पड़ा है, यह इन परिस्थितियों से स्पष्ट होता दिखाई देता है। देश जानना चाहता है — क्या यह योग्यता थी, या व्यवस्था की कृपा? #KamalMaulaMasjid #Judiciary #JusticeForAll #Democracy #Accountability #dhar @ShayarImran @salman7khurshid @ashharwarsi_inc @arifmasoodbpl @khanumarfa @TheMuslim786

Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svends @HelleLyngSvends has become a growing embarrassment for Norway’s citizens and our Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre @jonasgahrstore . What should have been a proud moment for Norway @norwaymfa hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi @PMOIndia @narendramodi for the first time in 43 years, awarding him the country’s highest civilian honor, signing a Green Strategic Partnership with 12 new agreements on clean energy, sustainability, health tech, digital cooperation, and trade was instead hijacked by her personal grandstanding and turned into an international spectacle that makes Norway look rude, entitled, and diplomatically clumsy.This wasn’t a full open press conference. It was a joint statement session with clear protocols. Modi followed standard procedure for such high-level bilateral visits: brief remarks, handshake, and exit. Yet Helle positioned herself as the hero, later tweeting that Modi “would not take my question” while waving the World Press Freedom Index (Norway #1, India #157). She framed it as brave journalism. Most Norwegians see it as embarrassing performative activism that damages our national interests.Norway’s relationship with India matters. We are building real partnerships in the green transition exactly the kind of cooperation Norwegians expect from our government. Billions in potential investments, jobs, technology sharing, and climate goals. Modi’s visit was substantive diplomacy. Instead of highlighting these achievements, the global narrative became “Modi dodges questions in free Norway” thanks to Helle’s viral 16-second clip. This helps no one except her personal brand.Real journalism holds power to account, but there’s a time, place, and manner. Ambushing a foreign head of government during a state visit on Norwegian soil, in front of our own Prime Minister, crosses into disrespect. It signals to the world that Norway cannot host important partners without turning events into awkward confrontations. What message does this send to leaders from Germany, the US, China, or Saudi Arabia? Come to Oslo at your own risk?Helle’s approach reflects poorly on Norwegian citizens who value pragmatism, politeness, and results over viral outrage. Many of us are cringing. We pay taxes for competent foreign policy, not for journalists to chase personal clout at the expense of our Prime Minister’s hard work. Støre stood there politely while our guest was effectively ambushed. This undermines the goodwill built over months of preparation.The World Press Freedom Index she brandished is published by Reporters Without Borders — an NGO with its own biases, selective sourcing, and inconsistencies. India is the world’s largest democracy with a raucous, competitive media landscape. Modi has been elected multiple times by 1.4 billion people. He chooses his communication style Mann Ki Baat, controlled interviews, direct voter outreach and has stuck to it for over a decade. That’s his prerogative as India’s leader. Norway’s press norms do not dictate how foreign elected leaders behave on our soil. By shouting during a joint briefing and then spinning the walk-off as cowardice, Helle ignored the substance: cultural exchanges, economic deals, shared Arctic and Indo-Pacific interests. She made it about “her question.” This self-centered stunt fuels stereotypes of arrogant Europeans lecturing the Global South. India is a rising superpower and vital partner, not some dictatorship to be publicly shamed. Her actions risk harming Norway’s reputation as a serious, respectful actor on the world stage.Norwegians pride ourselves on being practical and solution-oriented. We understand that diplomacy requires tact. Shouting at guests during photo-ops achieves nothing constructive. If Helle has legitimate concerns about press freedom in India, there are better forums: op-eds, interviews with Indian journalists, or private diplomatic channels. Turning a bilateral summit into her personal protest makes Norway look unserious and weakens Støre’s position.This incident highlights a deeper issue with parts of legacy Norwegian media: more activism than balanced reporting. Many citizens already distrust mainstream outlets for prioritizing ideology and clicks over national interests. Helle’s behavior reinforces that skepticism. She is becoming a symbol of why some Norwegians roll their eyes at Dagsavisen commentators more focused on international virtue-signaling than serving Norwegian readers or advancing pragmatic foreign policy. PM Støre deserves better. His government invested time and resources to strengthen ties with India at a time when energy security, green tech, and diversified partnerships are critical. Helle’s grandstanding risks poisoning the atmosphere for future cooperation. Indian officials and citizens noticed. The replies to her post were filled with Indians pointing out the format was never a full Q&A, questioning why a Norwegian journalist feels entitled to hijack their PM’s visit.We should expect more from our journalists. Question leaders yes. But do it professionally, not by turning important state visits into cringe-worthy viral moments that embarrass the host nation. Norway’s citizens want a media that informs, not one that performs. We want a Prime Minister who can deliver results without his events being derailed by ego.Helle Lyng Svends is increasingly becoming an embarrassment not just for herself, but for all of us who value Norway’s reputation as a competent, respectful country. It’s time for reflection in Norwegian media circles: Is this the image we want the world to see? A nation of serious partners or lecturing activists chasing likes? Enough with the stunts. Focus on the deals that actually benefit Norwegians energy, jobs, technology, and a stable world order. Our Prime Minister and our country deserve diplomacy that works, not viral embarrassment.