India Wanted No Questions at PM-Trump Press Meet: Sergio Gor

India had explicitly requested the United States to avoid taking media questions following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Donald Trump in France on June 17, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor revealed on Saturday.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Ambassador Gor reportedly stated that President Trump initially agreed to the arrangement but subsequently appeared to forget the request, opening the floor to a sprawling 45-minute press conference.

Unscripted Press Conference Behind the Scenes

Recalling the backstage discussion prior to the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, Gor reportedly said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had communicated a single specific requirement.

"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," Gor said. "And he said, do they have any asks? And the MEA had one ask... let's bring in the media, but let's not do a full press conference."

However, after both leaders reportedly delivered their opening statements before roughly 50 camera crews, Trump abruptly invited questions from reporters. "As soon as they get done, the first thing the president does is look up at the camera and says, 'Any questions?' And that opened everything up," Gor added, noting that the interaction quickly broadened with "everything on the table."

The Union government has not issued an official response to the ambassador’s comments regarding the media arrangements.

Regional Tensions and Bilateral Trade Agenda

The June 17 interaction took place against a backdrop of escalating maritime tensions, occurring just days after three Indian mariners died during a US Navy attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

During the session, PM Modi directly raised the issue of safety for Indian seafarers navigating high-risk shipping routes. "Many Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, their safety is of the utmost importance," PM Modi stated. In response, Trump minimised the risks, describing seafaring as a "rough profession."

Despite the exchange, President Trump reportedly offered strong security assurances, pointing towards PM Modi and offering unconditional backing: "If anybody attacks that man, we're gonna be there. Now, if there's a new leader, I'm not sure."

The meeting formed a crucial component of broader strategic and economic engagements, as New Delhi and Washington worked towards concluding a bilateral trade agreement amidst global supply chain disruptions. During the interaction, Trump maintained that both nations were "very close" to finalising the trade deal.