New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A behind-the-scenes detail from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in France has come to light, with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor claiming that the Indian side had requested a media interaction without questions.
Gor made the revelation while speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi. According to his account, the request was discussed with Trump shortly before his meeting with Modi in Évian-les-Bains, France, on June 17, during the G7 summit.
The episode, as described by the US envoy, took an unexpected turn once the two leaders finished their opening remarks.
What India Asked for Before the Meeting
Gor said he was with Trump before the US President met Modi when Trump asked what the Indian side was likely to raise during the talks.
The conversation, according to Gor, also touched upon whether India had any specific requests.
The ambassador said the Ministry of External Affairs had a straightforward preference: media representatives could be present in the room, but the interaction was not intended to become a full-fledged press conference.
Gor said he conveyed the preference to Trump, telling him that the Indian side preferred no questions from journalists. He claimed Trump agreed to the arrangement.
Trump Unexpectedly Invited Questions
The plan reportedly changed once the meeting got underway.
Gor recalled that a large group of journalists and cameras was present as Modi and Trump sat down for their interaction. He estimated that around 50 cameras were in the room.
After the two leaders delivered their opening remarks, Trump reportedly turned towards the media and asked whether there were any questions.
According to Gor, that single invitation effectively changed the character of the interaction.
The session, which was initially expected to remain a limited media appearance, went on to become an extended exchange between the US President and reporters.
45-Minute Interaction Followed
Gor said the media interaction eventually continued for approximately 45 minutes, with reporters raising a range of questions.
The ambassador described the development as an instance where the format discussed beforehand changed once the leaders were in front of the press.
His account provides an unusual glimpse into the planning that takes place around high-level diplomatic engagements, particularly when media access is involved.
Modi-Trump Meeting in France
Modi and Trump met in Évian-les-Bains on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Their interaction was closely watched as the two countries continued discussions on trade, strategic cooperation and broader bilateral ties.
Gor’s comments, however, focused less on the substance of the leaders’ talks and more on what happened around the media interaction.
The US envoy’s account has attracted attention because it reveals a previously less visible aspect of the meeting’s preparation: the discussions between officials over whether journalists would be allowed to put questions to the two leaders.
Gor’s Account Sparks Fresh Discussion
The revelation has added another layer to public discussion around media interactions involving Modi and Trump.
Importantly, the account comes from Sergio Gor, and there has been no official public response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs to the specific claim at the time of reporting. The details should therefore be understood as the US ambassador’s account of the events.
Gor’s remarks also underline how quickly the dynamics of a high-profile diplomatic meeting can shift. What was reportedly planned as a brief media appearance turned into a much longer interaction after Trump invited journalists to ask questions.
The episode has since become one of the more notable behind-the-scenes details associated with the Modi-Trump meeting in France, offering a glimpse into the arrangements that precede public-facing moments at major international summits.
