Indian government sources described discussions over media arrangements for Modi-Trump meetings as routine VVIP protocol after US Ambassador Sergio Gor claimed India had sought a no-question format.
Gor said Trump initially accepted India's preference but later invited journalists to ask questions during the June 17 meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.
The interaction included around 50 cameras and media personnel, with Trump later responding to an Indian journalist's question on Iran.
The Central government on Monday described discussions over arrangements for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public appearance with US President Donald Trump as “normal practice” ahead of VVIP visits, responding to US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor's claim that India had requested a no-question format during their June meeting at the G7 summit in France
While citing sources, news agency ANI reported that talks over how leaders' public appearances should be conducted are a routine part of preparations for VVIP visits. They added that, as part of these arrangements, the Indian side conveyed the standard procedures it follows during such engagements.
What Sergio Gor Said About Modi-Trump Meet
The government's clarification came after US Ambassador Sergio Gor spoke at an industry event on Saturday and alleged that India had made a specific request to the US administration that the media should not be allowed to ask questions after Modi's bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.
Gor said Trump initially accepted the request but later invited members of the press to ask questions, turning the interaction into a 45-minute press conference, with Modi seated beside him. The meeting between Modi and Trump was held on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. Before the interaction, Gor recalled having a brief discussion with Trump about the upcoming meeting.
"We were behind the scenes, behind the stage, and at one point it was just the president and I, and he asked me, he goes, what the Indians are going to raise. We went over some topics," ANI quoted Gor as saying.
"And he said, do they have any asks? And the MEA had one ask. He said, and it was, let's bring in the media, but let's not do a full press conference," the ambassador added.
India Calls Media Arrangement Standard Protocol
Gor said that he had conveyed India’s preference to Trump. "I told the president, I said, the Indians prefer no questions. He said, sure, no problem," Gor recalled.
The meeting then got underway with members of the media and technical staff in attendance. According to Gor, around 50 cameras had been positioned in the room as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump faced each other and made their opening remarks.
"So the meeting starts, the press comes in, there must have been 50 cameras, the president is sitting here, the prime minister is sitting there, they both speak for a few minutes," he said.
At the press conference, Trump was asked a question on Iran by an Indian journalist, to which, he said, “I like this guy. You know who that is? Your reporters are much nicer than mine.”
The Indian government sources maintained that discussions over arrangements for such public appearances are part of standard protocol followed during VVIP visits.
