Media Arrangements Are 'Standard Practice': India Pushes Back After US Ambassador Says PM Modi Wanted No Media Questions During Trump Meeting

India has rejected the suggestion that it made an unusual request to prevent journalists from asking questions during a public interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, saying discussions over media arrangements are a routine part of preparations for any VVIP visit.

Government sources said the Indian side had merely communicated its “standard practice” regarding the format of public appearances by leaders ahead of the high-level engagement.

India Says Media Arrangements Are ‘Standard Practice’

“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,” government sources said.

The clarification came after US Ambassador Sergio Gor recounted a conversation about a meeting between PM Modi and Trump, claiming that the Indian side's preference was for journalists to be present but not for the leaders to face questions.

What US Ambassador Sergio Gor Said

According to Gor, Trump had asked him ahead of the meeting what India was likely to raise and whether New Delhi had any specific requests.

Gor said the Ministry of External Affairs' “one ask” was to allow the media into the interaction but “not do a full press conference”.

“I told the president, I said, the Indians prefer no questions. He said, sure, no problem,” Gor said while recalling the episode.

However, after PM Modi and Trump delivered their opening remarks in the presence of journalists and around 50 cameras, Trump turned towards reporters and asked: “Any questions?”

Gor said the move changed the nature of the interaction, turning it into what he described as a 45-minute press conference in which a wide range of issues were discussed.

India Draws Distinction Between Protocol and Controlling Questions

The Indian government's response seeks to draw a distinction between discussing a preferred format for a leaders' public appearance and attempting to dictate what another leader or the media can do.

Meetings involving heads of government are generally planned in advance, with both sides coordinating details such as media access, camera arrangements, opening remarks, joint statements, the duration of the appearance and whether questions from journalists will be taken.

India's position is that communicating such preferences forms part of standard diplomatic protocol ahead of a VVIP engagement.

The government sources' remarks came amid attention over Gor's account, which had appeared to suggest that New Delhi specifically sought an interaction without questions from journalists. India, however, maintained that the discussion was part of routine planning for a high-level visit and public appearance.