Delhi defends protocol discussions ahead of Modi-Trump meeting in France

New Delhi moved to normalize discussions about media arrangements following comments by US Ambassador Sergio Gor about advance conversations between the two governments regarding press interactions during the Modi-Trump bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.

Gor, speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, said India's Ministry of External Affairs had conveyed to the American side that it would prefer no media interaction following the June 17 meeting. The envoy indicated that President Trump subsequently disregarded the request, resulting in an extended press interaction lasting nearly 45 minutes.

Government sources said Monday that preliminary discussions about arrangements for leaders' public appearances constitute routine diplomatic protocol and are nothing out of the ordinary. Such consultations, they emphasized, are conducted regularly to ensure smooth coordination between nations ahead of high-level engagements.

The exchange underscores the behind-the-scenes coordination involved in bilateral summits between major powers, where both countries typically align on logistics and media access well in advance of leaders' public interactions.