Officials followed ‘standard practice’, sources say after Gor claims Indian side asked for ‘no questions’ in Modi-Trump event

Indian officers adopted the “customary observe” of checking the modalities for public appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi forward of his assembly with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France earlier this 12 months, official sources mentioned on Monday (August 24, 2026), hours after U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor claimed that the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) had requested for the press occasion to not function questions. Mr. Gor went on to say that Mr. Trump subsequently forgot concerning the purported request and went on to reply questions from journalists for 45 minutes.

“Discussions relating to preparations for public appearances of leaders are regular observe forward of any VVIP go to. On this regard, the Indian aspect communicated its customary observe for such visits,” a supply mentioned, referring to the interplay between Mr. Modi and Mr. Trump in Evian, France, on June 17, 2026.

Addressing a media conclave on Sunday (August 23), Mr. Gor had mentioned that the MEA had an “ask” relating to making the assembly between the 2 leaders freed from questions from the press. “We have been behind the scenes, behind the stage, and at one level, it was simply the President and I, and he requested me what the Indians have been going to boost. We went over some subjects,” mentioned Mr. Gor.

In response to Mr. Gor, Mr. Trump additionally wished to know if the Indian delegation had any particular requests relating to the conduct of the occasion and he was advised that the Indian aspect would favor to not take questions.

“He mentioned, ‘Have they got any asks?’ And the MEA had one ask,” Mr. Gor mentioned. Mr. Trump, nonetheless, forgot concerning the Indian aspect’s “ask”, Mr. Gor claimed, and proceeded to reply questions. “A forty five-minute press convention adopted, and every part was on the desk,” he mentioned.

Official sources, nonetheless, identified that throughout the press interplay, all questions, each from U.S. and Indian presspersons, have been geared toward Mr. Trump and that Mr. Modi was not requested any questions.

Congress reacts

In the meantime, the Congress occasion mentioned the workplace of the Prime Minister was being “diminished and disrespected”.

“This isn’t nearly Narendra Modi. It’s the workplace of India’s Prime Minister that’s being diminished and disrespected,” Congress chief Pawan Khera mentioned in a put up on X. Mr. Khera mentioned Mr. Gor’s remarks have been revealing, suggesting that avoiding questions from the media was an everyday observe underneath Mr. Modi. “Why is Modi so afraid of dealing with the media?” he requested.

In one other put up, Mr. Khera mentioned Mr. Trump had not taken Mr. Modi’s issues critically. “A compromised PM will not be taken critically,” he mentioned.

“It’s painful to see what India has been lowered to underneath Narendra Modi. As soon as a formidable pressure. As we speak, taken with no consideration,” he added, whereas asking why Mr. Modi was “so afraid of press freedom — at house and overseas”.