India Skipped Joint Presser With Trump Amid Concerns Over His ‘Unpredictable’ Behaviour, Sources

India had preferred not to hold a joint media interaction after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with US President Donald Trump in France in June, citing concerns over what government sources described as Trump's “unpredictable behaviour”, PTI reported on Monday. The clarification came after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said New Delhi had informed the American side ahead of the meeting that it did not want a joint press briefing.

According to government sources cited by PTI, discussions between countries over arrangements for leaders' public appearances are a routine part of diplomatic engagements. India's reported preference regarding the media interaction was communicated to the US side before Modi and Trump met on June 17 in Evian-les-Bains on the sidelines of the G7 summit. The discussions were held as both countries sought to manage a relationship that had faced strains over the preceding year.

Despite India's preference, Trump unexpectedly opened the floor to questions after his meeting with Modi and went on to hold a media interaction lasting around 45 minutes, according to the report. The development meant that the format of the leaders' public appearance differed from what the Indian side had reportedly sought ahead of the meeting. The episode has now come under renewed attention following Gor's recent remarks about the arrangements.

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The reported decision by India was linked by government sources to concerns over the unpredictability of Trump's public interactions. Joint press conferences can expose leaders to unscripted questions on sensitive diplomatic, security or economic issues, making the format an important consideration in high-level engagements. The Indian side's reported preference was therefore presented as part of advance diplomatic planning rather than an unusual step.

Modi and Trump met during the G7 summit in France as India and the United States sought to strengthen ties following tensions that had emerged between the two countries. Their bilateral discussions were closely watched because of disagreements and uncertainty across several areas of the relationship. The meeting was also viewed as an opportunity for the two governments to maintain dialogue while addressing issues affecting bilateral cooperation.

The latest clarification comes at a time when uncertainty continues over the India-US bilateral trade agreement, which remains under discussion. Trade has emerged as a major issue in the relationship, with both sides seeking progress on an agreement while navigating differences over tariffs and market access. Against this backdrop, public statements by senior officials from either country can attract considerable attention.

The dispute over whether a joint press interaction should have been held has therefore added another dimension to the broader discussion over India-US ties. While Gor highlighted India's communication to Washington before the Modi-Trump meeting, Indian government sources stressed that such discussions over public appearances are standard diplomatic practice. The episode also illustrates the importance both sides place on managing the format and messaging of high-level engagements, particularly when sensitive bilateral issues remain unresolved.

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