Despite the US administration’s attempts to secure more press access during President Joe Biden’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in India, reporters will not be permitted to question the leaders. The White House announced that the meeting will take place at the Prime Minister’s residence, a deviation from the typical protocol of bilateral visits to India. PM Modi has drawn international criticism for a perceived crackdown on independent reporting and has rarely taken questions since taking office.

Previous Interaction and Bilateral Relations

During a state visit in June, Modi agreed to participate in a White House news conference following lengthy negotiations. This was despite criticism of Modi’s handling of press freedom and humanitarian issues. President Biden has shown a willingness to engage with the Indian leader, emphasizing their shared commitment to democracy. This approach demonstrates Biden’s attempt to balance the need for strategic partnerships with the promotion of democratic values and human rights.

The US administration has made significant efforts to ensure media access to the president during his visit to India. Several officials have reached out to their Indian counterparts to advocate for more press access. However, these requests appear to have been unsuccessful.

Following the G20 summit, President Biden will hold a news conference in Vietnam, where it is expected to be “easier” for him to take questions from reporters. This decision indicates the administration’s commitment to transparency and media access, even in situations where initial negotiations may be unsuccessful. The press conference in Vietnam will provide an opportunity for reporters to question the president about his meeting with Modi and other aspects of the G20 summit.

Aside from his meeting with Modi, Biden is not expected to have many formal engagements with world leaders during the G20 summit due to the way the schedule is structured. This arrangement is not unusual for such high-level international summits, where much of the diplomatic work occurs in informal settings. Nonetheless, this structure, combined with the limited press access during his meeting with Modi, may limit reporters’ opportunities to question the president directly during the summit.