India cautious over Trump’s unpredictability; defends media meeting rules

India expressed cautiousness regarding US President Donald Trump's unpredictability while defending its media meeting rules, according to a response from the government to US Ambassador Sergio Gor's remarks. Gor had mentioned during a media conclave on Sunday that the External Affairs Ministry had requested no "full press conference" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Trump on the margins of the G7 Summit in France on June 17.

The government clarified that this was their standard practice for foreign visits by the Prime Minister. Discussions about arrangements for public appearances of leaders ahead of any VVIP visit are considered normal practice, according to people familiar with the matter. The Indian side communicated this standard practice, said one of the people.

Rezaul Hasan Laskar, the Foreign Editor of the Hindustan Times, covered this story. Laskar, who joined the Hindustan Times in 2015, began his journalism career in Shillong and has reported from various destinations, including Tibet, Ukraine, and Pakistan. He has been part of the media delegation accompanying Prime Ministers on foreign visits and has reported on foreign policy and international relations.