Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng has claimed that her visa for India was cancelled, preventing her from traveling to Hyderabad to attend the Bharat Summit. Lyng, who works for the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen, stated on social media that she was invited to participate as a speaker and panelist in a session focused on the future of media, democracy, and press freedom.
In a video message posted on X on November 11, 2026, Lyng alleged that the cancellation was the result of "orders from above" issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. She noted that she had initially received a visa and possessed political clearance for the conference. Lyng stated that she had been scheduled to speak on November 14, alongside other panelists including Leonard Novy, Sangeeta Baruah Pisharoty, and Francesco Lapenta, with the session moderated by Member of Parliament Pawan Khera.
The journalist attributed the denial of entry to a previous interaction she had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2026. During a joint press briefing in Oslo, Lyng had questioned the Prime Minister regarding his stance on press freedom. She later reported a separate incident during a media interaction involving MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George, where she questioned India’s credibility. Lyng added that the Indian Embassy in Norway had been helpful during her visa application process and was not at fault for the current situation.
According to The Indian Express and The Hindu, the Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding her claims. There has been no official statement released by the Indian Embassy in Norway regarding the status of her travel documents.
Key facts
- Helle Lyng is a journalist with the Oslo-based newspaper Dagsavisen.
- The Bharat Summit in Hyderabad was scheduled to host Lyng as a speaker on November 14, 2026.
- Lyng claims the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled her visa despite previous political clearance.
- The journalist previously questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about press freedom during a May 2026 visit to Oslo.
Why it matters
The incident has drawn attention due to Lyng's scheduled participation in a panel discussion on the future of media and democracy. Her absence from the event follows a publicized exchange between the journalist and Indian officials regarding press freedom, a topic she was slated to address at the summit.
Source: Indian Express, The Hindu
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