US president Joe Biden, while sitting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, referred to Indian media as being “much better behaved” than the American press.

Biden was hosting Modi at the Oval Office in the White House for the first in-person bilateral meeting after he took over as the president in January 2021.

Soon after they exchanged greetings, he said, “I think what they're going to do is bring in the press. The Indian press is much better behaved than the American press...And I think, with your permission, we should not answer questions because they won't ask any questions on point.”

According to PTI and ANI, Modi replied saying that he “completely agreed” with Biden. It's worth pointing out here that issues plaguing the freedom of the press under Modi have been well-documented. Since Modi came to power in 2014, he hasn't held a single press conference except one in 2019 where he refused to answer any questions.

With his remarks praising the Indian media, Biden joins the illustrious company of former US president Donald Trump. In 2019, when Modi and Trump held a joint interaction, India Today's Gaurav Sawant had asked Trump if there was a roadmap to deal with "Pakistan state sponsored terror".

Trump turned to Modi and said, "You have great reporters. I wish I had reporters like this." Turning back to the media, Trump then said, "You're doing better than anybody I’ve ever heard. Where do you find these reporters? This is a great thing.”