OSLO — Foreign ministry officials have successfully defended the Prime Minister's decision not to hold a press conference in Norway, explaining to the country ranked number one on the World Press Freedom Index that true democratic governance does not actually require speaking to journalists.

The non-engagement follows a similar unscripted-question blackout in the Netherlands. Addressing local inquiries about the avoidance strategy, ministry secretary Sibi George reminded the European press corps that India’s constitution absolutely guarantees press freedoms, democracy, and human rights, rendering actual press conferences redundant. The vigorous defense of press access was delivered on behalf of a country currently ranked 157th globally.

"We engage with the press exactly when appropriate," a ministry spokesperson clarified. Historical records from the ministry indicate the appropriate time is exclusively during joint appearances in Washington, a phenomenon previously documented in 2023 and 2025. "Our commitment to a free press means having the sovereign freedom to fly across multiple time zones to selectively ignore non-allied international media."

The diplomatic silence drew criticism from opposition politicians, who questioned the domestic fuel expenditure required to fly to Northern Europe simply to avoid reporters. However, officials maintained that taking unscripted questions abroad would severely disrupt the administration's ongoing efforts to control its domestic narrative from thousands of miles away.