Who is Sibi George, Indian diplomat involved in the faceoff with a Norwegian journalist?

Sibi George, an Indian diplomat, has gone viral after he responded to a Norwegian journalist who questioned why India should be trusted, given its alleged human rights violations. Responding to Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen, George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, elaborated on why India has been a trusted partner of so many countries globally and cited New Delhi's successful hosting of the G20 summit, the Voice of the Global South summits and the recent AI Impact Summit.

George said India's Constitution guarantees a sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic, and ensures justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship as well as equality of opportunity through the fundamental rights and principles.

"We are one-sixth of the total population of the world, but not one-sixth of the problems of the world," he said.

"People have no understanding of the scale of India. They read one or two reports published by some God-forsaken, ignorant NGOs and then come and ask questions. Don't worry about it. We are proud to be a democracy; we are a democratic society for centuries," he said.

George began his career as a diplomat in 1993, in Cairo, Egypt, where he served in the Indian Embassy as Political Officer.

He has also served in Indian diplomatic missions across Doha, Islamabad, Washington, Tehran, and Riyadh in various capacities.

Back home in India, George served in the East Asia Division of the MEA and also as coordinator of the India–Africa Forum Summit.

George also served as the Ambassador of India to Switzerland, the Vatican City, and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Responding to the Norwegian journalist, George also said that India gave equal rights to women from the first day of independence, unlike many other countries, displaying its firm belief in equality and human rights.

"In 1947 we gave the freedom to vote to our women. We got the freedom together and got the right to vote from day one. I know many countries where voting rights for women came after several decades. We believe in equality; We believe in human rights. If anyone whose rights are violated, they have the right to go to court. We are proud to be a democracy," he said.

Subsequently, the Indian Embassy in Norway responded to Svendsen's social media post on the issue and said she was "most welcome to come and ask your questions" at a press briefing organised by the mission.