New York : India had specifically asked the US to avoid questions at the press conference after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has claimed.The PM Modi-Trump meeting took place on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains in France.
“And he said, do they have any asks? And the MEA had one ask. He said, and it was, let’s bring in the media, but let’s not do a full press conference,” the ambassador added. Gor said he then conveyed India’s preference directly to Trump. “I told the president, I said, the Indians prefer no questions. He said, sure, no problem,” Gor recalled. The meeting subsequently began with journalists and cameras present. Gor said there were around 50 cameras in the room as Modi and Trump sat across from each other and delivered their opening remarks.
PM Modi’s meeting with Trump on June 17 on the sidelines of the G7 summit in eastern France came days after three Indian mariners were killed in an attack by the US Navy on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The safety of Indian seafarers operating in the conflict zone was among the issues raised by Modi during the interaction. Trump said the US would support India in the event of an attack by another country. Pointing towards Modi, he said, “If anybody attacks that man, we’re gonna be there. Now, if there’s a new leader, I’m not sure.”
During the meeting between Modi and Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June, several issues were discussed, including the safety of seafarers amid ship attacks, the reopening of Strait of Hormuz, and the future of India-US trade. PM Modi raised concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Strait of Hormuz during the brief interaction. “Many Indian seafarers in Strait of Hormuz, their safety of utmost importance,” PM Modi told Trump.
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