'Na karunga, na karne dunga...': Congress mocks PM over Biden's speech in Vietnam

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after United States President Joe Biden addressed the media during his visit to Vietnam following his visit to India for the G20 Summit.

Referring to Biden's address in Vietnam stating he spoke to the Prime Minister about human rights and free press, Ramesh said, "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."

"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," the senior Congress leader added.

His tweet came after Biden, who is on an official visit to Vietnam after the G20 Leaders' Summit, 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."

On Friday, Ramesh had alleged that US President Joe Biden's team was not allowed to interact with the media and take questions about his meeting with PM Narendra Modi after the bilateral meeting in Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit.

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

"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 said.

As part of the protocol of bilateral meetings between leaders, generally, there are restrictions on media access. Journalists accompanying Joe Biden were asked to remain outside when the President met PM Modi at his official residence.