New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while citing a speech of United States President Joe Biden who visited Vietnam after attending G20 Summit in India.

The Congress leader said Joe Biden talked with Prime Minister about human rights and free press. “Mr Modi saying to Mr Biden — “Na Press Conference karunga, Na karne doonga” (won’t hold a press conference, won’t let you hold one) has had no impact,” said Ramesh in a post on blog X.

“Mr Biden is saying the same things in Vietnam which he said to Mr Modi’s face in India — on respecting human rights, the role of civil society and the free press,” added senior Congress leader.

Jairam Ramesh’s remarks came after Joe Biden made a speech in Vietnam advocating human rights and free press. The President said, “…and as I always do, I raised the importance of respecting human rights, the vital role of civil society, and a free press and building a strong and prosperous country with Mr Modi. We got a lot of important work done.”

Mr. Modi saying to Mr. Biden — “Na Press Conference karoonga,
Na karne doonga” has had no impact.

Mr. Biden is saying the same things in Vietnam which he said to Mr. Modi’s face in India — on respecting human rights, the role of civil society and free press. pic.twitter.com/08WthcKdUC

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 10, 2023

Media Interaction Restriction After India-US Bilateral Talks 

On Friday, Ramesh announced that US President Joe Biden’s team was not allowed to interact with the media and answer questions about his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a bilateral meeting in Delhi ahead of the conference G20 summit.

“President Biden’s team said that despite several requests, India did not allow the media to ask questions about him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting,” Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

As part of protocol for bilateral meetings between leaders, there are often restrictions on media access. Journalists traveling with Joe Biden were asked to stay outside when the president met Prime Minister Modi at his official residence.