Norwegian Journalist Hailey Lang Draws Attention in India After Questioning PM Modi

May 20, 2026 | DeccanLive.com

“I know Prime Minister Modi does not like taking questions, but it was my duty”: Norwegian journalist Hailey Lang becomes a topic of discussion in India.

Norwegian journalist Hailey Lang first tried to ask Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a question in Oslo, and later had a sharp exchange with India’s Foreign Ministry officials during a press conference.

Speaking to Media, Hailey Lang said that asking questions is her “duty” as a journalist, especially when “a powerful country comes to a small country like ours and wants to strengthen ties.”

Prime Minister Modi had visited Norway as part of his five-country foreign tour, where this issue became widely discussed. After a joint statement with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Hailey Lang wanted to ask Modi a question, but he was seen leaving the venue.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. In the clip, Hailey Lang can be heard saying: “Prime Minister Modi, why do you not take questions from one of the world’s freest media?”

Later, Hailey also shared her views on social media. After that, the Indian Embassy in Norway released a statement and invited her to ask questions at a Foreign Ministry press conference.

During that press conference, her sharp exchange with Indian Foreign Ministry officials also became a major topic of discussion.

On Monday night, during the Indian Foreign Ministry’s press conference, the journalist raised concerns about alleged human rights violations and complained that Prime Minister Modi does not take questions from journalists. She also asked: “Why should we trust India?”

Responding to this, Foreign Secretary Sibi George described India as a “great country” and an “ancient civilization.” He said that during the Covid pandemic, India supplied vaccines to many countries, and because of such efforts, “the whole world trusts India.”

When the journalist interrupted him during his response, Sibi George said: “Please do not interrupt me… this is my press conference… it is my right to decide when, how, and where I answer.”

Hailey Lang’s Response

Hailey later spoke to Media in detail about these events.

She said she has been working in journalism for more than five years and had also covered the US elections.

She explained that whenever a head of state visits Norway, there is heavy police presence on the streets, and some roads are closed. Security arrangements become very strict.

Talking about the joint press conference, she said that in Norway, leaders usually speak to the press and then take some questions. She gave the recent example of French President Emmanuel Macron.

She said:
“As journalists, asking questions is our job. When a powerful country comes to our small country and wants to strengthen relations, it is our duty to ask questions. I know your Prime Minister does not like taking questions, but it was my duty.”

Prime Minister Modi rarely takes questions during foreign visits. So far, he has reportedly taken questions abroad only on two occasions — during visits to the United States in June 2023 and February 2025.

When asked whether it had already been announced that the two Prime Ministers would not take questions, Hailey said:
“No. We already knew that no questions would be taken.”

She added:
“And that makes my work even more important, because we cannot allow a foreign leader to come here and praise democracy without being questioned.”

She questioned:
“What is democracy? Your Prime Minister talks about being the leader of the world’s largest democracy, but what kind of democracy is it if there is no room to ask questions from the most powerful person in the country?”

She said that, given concerns about press freedom and alleged human rights violations in India, she felt it was her duty to ask questions.

She pointed out that Norway ranks at the top of the Press Freedom Index, while India has been ranked much lower in recent years.

Hailey said:
“We are proud of our free and independent media. We ask the questions we want and demand answers from those in power. That is our job.”

“It Is Concerning, Not Surprising”

Hailey said her own Prime Minister was very busy that day, but still answered questions from major Norwegian media after PM Modi had left.

When asked whether she found it strange that Indian media questioned Norway’s Prime Minister but not India’s Prime Minister, she said it did not surprise her, but it worried her.

She said:
“I am concerned. If you cannot directly question your leaders and their policies, how do you move debate forward in India?”

She also said Norway’s leaders should think carefully while strengthening ties with India, especially regarding human rights and press freedom concerns.

She added that Nordic countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have long ranked high in the Human Development Index.

On Press Freedom and Human Rights Concerns

When asked how journalists in countries that strongly value press freedom view such situations, Hailey said it is difficult to understand everything without being on the ground.

However, she said she trusts global reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

She also said that after the incident, she received many messages from different parts of India, and some of the things people shared were worrying.

She acknowledged that there is a deep divide between supporters and critics of the current Indian government, which is why she relies on international reports.

“I Did Not Go to Hear Praise for India”

Speaking about her tense exchange with Foreign Ministry officials, Hailey said she had already been invited to the event, and later the Indian Embassy also invited her, which she considered a positive step.

However, she said she went there with serious questions.

She said she was trying to get a direct answer and was frustrated when officials answered multiple questions at once without clearly responding to her main concern.

According to her, she asked about alleged human rights violations, but that part of her question was not answered.

She said that in Norway, she is used to asking follow-up questions if she feels she did not get a proper answer.

She added:
“For me, it is important that I ask a question and the politician responds to that exact issue. Those answers are often more interesting and help understand other people’s point of view better.”

She criticized that the discussion shifted toward India’s vaccine supply during Covid and yoga instead of directly addressing her concern.

She said:
“I like yoga and many things about Indian culture. India does many good things. But I usually do not go to a press conference just to hear praise for a country.”

She admitted some people may have felt her tone during the second press conference was strong, but said journalists often have to interrupt in order to push for answers.

What Happened in the Press Conference

At the press conference in Oslo, Hailey Lang asked:
“India and Norway are building a strong partnership, but why should we trust you? Do you promise to stop human rights violations in your country? When will your Prime Minister start answering difficult questions?”

When Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said her question would be answered, she asked for an immediate response.

Later, Foreign Secretary West Sibi George replied by highlighting India’s ancient civilization, saying it is nearly 5,000 years old, and mentioning India’s contributions like zero and yoga.

When he was speaking, Hailey interrupted and asked him to answer the exact question.

Sibi George responded:
“This is my press conference. You asked your question. Now you should have the patience to hear my answer.”

When she insisted again, he said India had supplied vaccines and medicines to more than 150 countries during Covid and had helped the world during the crisis.

He also referred to India’s G20 summit and said India had helped bring countries together during difficult times such as the Ukraine war, and had supported making the African Union a permanent member of the G20.

He said this was an example of global trust in India.

Sibi George also said people sometimes ask such questions after reading one or two reports from “uninformed NGOs,” and added that India has courts where people can seek justice for violations.

While he was responding, the journalist eventually left the press conference.

Later, Hailey Lang posted on X, saying she repeatedly tried to get a clear response on human rights, but was unsuccessful.

Opposition Reactions

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi referred to the viral video and accused PM Modi of “walking away out of fear.”

He said:
“When there is nothing to hide, there is no need to be afraid. What image does it create for India when the world sees a Prime Minister leaving because of a few questions?”

Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra also thanked Hailey Lang on Instagram, saying she did what India’s own media had often failed to do — ask tough questions and demand accountability from those in power.

Prime Minister Modi is currently on an official five-country tour. He reached Norway after visiting the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and Sweden.