Government Did Not Allow Media To Ask Questions : US President Joe Biden’s Team

The Congress on Friday highlighted the statement made by US President Joe Biden’s team. The Congress alleged that the government curtailed  media from posing questions to the US President and PM Modi after their bilateral meeting in Delhi, preceding the summit, as per Biden's team. 

US President Biden touched down in Delhi on Friday evening and is expected to be present at the venue- Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, over the the weekend 

"President Biden's team says despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting," Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, wrote on X.

"President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on September 11 from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all. This is how democracy is done Modi-style," he added. 

Journalists accompanying Biden were stationed outside whilst the meeting with PM Modi went on at his official residence, on Friday. 

Journalist  from the White House accompanying Biden were present at the initial stages- beginning of face-to-face bilateral meetings and hearing preliminary statements, followed with clicking a few photographs and asking a few questions. 

"The President believes the free press is the pillar of our democracy," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre was quoted by AFP, while speaking to journalists on board on Air Force One. "We, in the US government, work hard to ensure and obtain access for US journalists to everything the President does," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan commented.  "What we can pledge to you is what's in our control -- which is ensuring that we are transparent and comprehensive in our readout of what the two leaders discussed," he added

Several World Leaders are in the capital to participate in the G-20 Summit, being held for the first time in India.