India's No-Questions Request Before Modi-Trump Meet Was 'Standard Practice': Sources
Trump turned to the journalists and asked, "Any questions?" His remark opened the interaction to a wider media exchange, eventually turning it into a full press conference.
India's request to avoid a press interaction before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with US President Donald Trump in June was a standard protocol-related communication, people familiar with the matter said, days after US Ambassador Sergio Gor revealed that Trump had initially agreed to the request.
Gor made the remarks during a media event, saying he had informed Trump about India's request ahead of the meeting. According to the ambassador, Trump initially agreed to the request but later invited questions from journalists gathered at the venue.
"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'," Gor said.
However, once the meeting began, Trump turned to the journalists and asked, "Any questions?" His remark opened the interaction to a wider media exchange, eventually turning it into a full press conference.
People familiar with the matter said such discussions are a normal part of preparations for public appearances involving VVIPs.
"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," they said.
The Modi-Trump meeting took place days after Indian sailors were killed in a US military strike during Washington's conflict with Iran. During the meeting, Modi highlighted the humanitarian impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the need to safeguard maritime trade routes.
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