NEW DELHI — A fresh political storm has erupted in the national capital following statements made by the United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, regarding media protocols during a high-profile bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Ambassador Gor revealed that prior to the bilateral talks between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had formally requested that journalists not be permitted to ask questions during the joint press appearance.
According to Gor, while the MEA agreed to allow both leaders to deliver statements to the press, the Indian delegation explicitly requested that press questions be omitted. However, the envoy noted that President Trump disregarded the arrangement and went on to take questions from reporters for nearly 45 minutes following his meeting with Prime Minister Modi.
The disclosure immediately triggered a sharp reaction from the principal opposition party, the Indian National Congress, which seized upon the envoy's remarks to target the Prime Minister over press accountability and India's global image.
Taking to social media platform X, Congress Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera shared a video of Gor’s speech and questioned the Prime Minister’s unwillingness to take unscripted questions from the media.
"Why is Modi so afraid of press freedom — at home and abroad?" Khera wrote, describing the Prime Minister as "compromised." Khera further alleged that President Trump "didn't forget what Narendra Modi said—he just didn't listen," adding that it was distressing to see India's international standing diminished under the current administration.
The opposition has repeatedly leveled accusations against Prime Minister Modi for avoiding open press conferences throughout his tenure. Earlier this year, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, similarly criticized the Prime Minister for declining media questions during an official engagement in Norway.
The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued an official response to Ambassador Gor's statements or the subsequent political fallout.
