Explained: PM Modi’s Visit to Norway and Italy
PM Modi’s Norway and Italy visits sparked global attention with press freedom controversies, the viral #Melodi trend, and major agreements on trade, AI, green energy and the IMEC corridor.
Recently, ISH News told you about PM Narendra Modi’s five-nation tour that began on 15 May 2026. After visiting the UAE, the Netherlands and Sweden, PM Modi travelled to Norway and Italy for the final leg of the tour.
This was PM Modi’s first-ever visit to Norway and also the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in more than 40 years, after former PM Indira Gandhi visited in 1983.
In Norway, PM Modi attended the 3rd India-Nordic Summit with leaders from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. India signed agreements with Norway to boost cooperation in green energy, climate action, AI, health, space research, trade and Arctic studies.
However, the visit also sparked controversy.
During a joint media briefing with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, journalist Helle Lyng shouted, “Prime Minister Modi, why don't you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” as the leaders were leaving the room. She later posted the video online, comparing Norway’s top ranking in the World Press Freedom Index with India’s lower ranking.
The clip quickly went viral and divided opinions. Some praised Lyng for questioning power, while others criticised her for sounding patronising and ignoring the difference between a press briefing and a press conference.
Later, the Indian Embassy invited her to a media interaction where she questioned India’s human rights record and media freedom. MEA Secretary Sibi George defended India as a strong democracy with free elections and a large media network. The exchange became tense as interruptions continued during the discussion.
The controversy grew further when Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten published a cartoon showing PM Modi as a “snake charmer.” Many Indians, including journalist Aditya Raj Kaul, called the cartoon racist and based on colonial stereotypes about India.
After Norway, PM Modi reached Rome, Italy, on 19 May 2026 for the final stop of his tour. He received a warm welcome from Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
The two leaders had dinner together, visited the Colosseum, and shared several pictures and videos online, delighting social media users. The viral #Melodi trend returned once again when PM Modi gifted Meloni a pack of “Melody” chocolates, a playful nod to their popular hashtag.
India and Italy described their relationship as a “Special Strategic Partnership.” Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, clean energy, AI, science, innovation and space research, while setting a target of €20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029.
A major focus of the discussions was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a large connectivity project linking India and Europe through rail, shipping and digital infrastructure routes across the Middle East.
