India Cites Trump's 'Unpredictable' Style in Response to US Envoy's Press Conference Anecdote
India says caution was needed due to Trump's unpredictability, responding to US envoy's remarks about Modi's press conference request.
New Delhi has responded to US Ambassador Sergio Gor's public account of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Donald Trump, explaining that India adopted a cautious approach due to what it termed the American leader's unpredictable behaviour with foreign dignitaries.
Government sources said discussions on the format of public appearances are routine before any high-profile visit. They noted that delegations meeting President Trump remain wary of his spontaneous interactions, citing his televised exchanges with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as examples.
Ambassador Gor, speaking at a forum on Saturday, recounted that the Indian side had requested the media be brought in for brief remarks but without a full press conference or questions. He said President Trump agreed initially but then invited questions from the 50 cameras present, leading to a 45-minute interaction.
The clarification follows criticism from the opposition. Congress leader Pawan Khera said the remarks suggested a pattern of the Prime Minister avoiding media scrutiny and that the office of the Prime Minister was being diminished.
PM Modi has historically held few joint press conferences with foreign leaders, with the Ministry of External Affairs rebranding such events as 'media appearances'. This practice has drawn questions from international journalists, including a Norwegian reporter who raised the issue during Modi's visit to Oslo in May.