1 week ago
India Calls No-Questions Arrangement Normal Before Modi-Trump Meeting
India and the United States were preparing for a meeting between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump.
The meeting took place in France during the G7 Summit.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor said India wanted reporters and cameras in the room but did not want a full question-and-answer session.
Indian government sources described discussions about these arrangements as normal before an important leader’s visit.
Gor said Trump first agreed to India’s preference.
After the leaders gave opening remarks, Trump asked reporters if they had questions.
This turned the interaction into a longer press conference lasting about 45 minutes.
The meeting also involved concerns about sailors’ safety and disruptions to trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian government sources said discussing leaders’ public appearances is standard before VVIP visits.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor said India preferred media access without a full question-and-answer session.
Gor said Donald Trump initially accepted the request but later asked reporters, “Any questions?”
The interaction reportedly became a 45-minute press conference with about 50 cameras present.
The June 17 meeting followed the deaths of three Indian mariners in a US attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump, US Ambassador Sergio Gor, and Indian and US officials were involved.
- What
- India reportedly communicated a preference for media access without a full press conference, but Trump later invited reporters to ask questions.
- Where
- Evian-les-Bains, France, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit.
- When
- June 17; one report identifies the year as 2026.
- Why
- Indian sources said the discussion concerned standard arrangements for VVIP visits; the meeting also addressed maritime safety and disruptions to trade.
India’s procedural explanation
US envoy’s account
Meaning of India’s communication
India’s procedural explanation
Indian government sources characterized the communication as a routine discussion of arrangements for leaders’ public appearances before a VVIP visit.
US envoy’s account
Sergio Gor described it as a specific request to allow media into the meeting while avoiding questions or a full press conference.
Purpose of the arrangement
India’s procedural explanation
Indian sources said such discussions are standard practice and help clarify schedules and proceedings.
US envoy’s account
Gor focused on the requested format, saying the Ministry of External Affairs had one request concerning media access and questions.
What happened during the meeting
India’s procedural explanation
India’s response emphasized the routine nature of the prior arrangements and did not directly address the full details of the later press interaction.
US envoy’s account
Gor said Trump initially accepted the request, then opened the session to questions, creating what he called a 45-minute press conference.
Key facts
- Meeting date
- June 17; one report specifies June 17, 2026.
- Meeting location
- Evian-les-Bains, France, during the G7 Summit.
- India’s reported preference
- Allow journalists and cameras into the meeting without a full press conference or questions.
- India’s explanation
- Government sources said discussions about leaders’ public appearances are normal before VVIP visits and help clarify schedules and proceedings.
- Trump’s reported response
- Gor said Trump initially agreed to the preference but later asked reporters, “Any questions?”
- Press interaction
- Gor described the resulting interaction as a 45-minute press conference with about 50 cameras present.
- Related maritime incident
- Reports said three Indian mariners were killed in a US military or Navy attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Quotes
A government source
An unnamed Union Government source quoted by PTI
“We were behind the scenes, behind the stage, and at one point it was just the president and I, and he asked me what the Indians are going to raise. We went over some topics. And he said, 'do they have any questions?' The MEA had one. I told the president the Indians prefer no questions. He said, 'sure, no problem'”
NDTV
“Discussions regarding arrangements for public appearances of leaders are normal practice ahead of any VVIP visit.”
wionews.com
livemint.com
Indian government sources
Government sources cited in the report describing India’s standard protocol for VVIP visits.
“Discussions regarding arrangements for public appearances of leaders are normal practice ahead of any VVIP visit. In this regard, the Indian side communicated its standard practice for such visits.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
"Standard Practice": Sources On India's Request At PM-Trump Press Meet
'Normal Practice Ahead Of Any VVIP Guest': India Responds To Sergio Gor's 'No Questions' Remark
India calls leader media arrangements ‘normal practice’ after Sergio Gor remarks
'Normal practice': India reacts to US envoy's 'MEA sought no questions' remark on Modi-Trump meet
'Normal practice ahead of any VVIP visit': India responds to US envoy's 'no questions' remarks
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