New Delhi:
The Obamas' visit was generally accepted as a win-win one, at least by India. The President's Jai Hind, the First Lady's dance with schoolchildren, and the offer of support for India's bid for a permanent seat at the United Nation Security Council - however vague - were among several crowd-pleasing moments
But the post-script is a less cheery one. NDTV has learnt that the Ministry of External Affairs may lodge a formal complaint with the US about the behavior of White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
Minutes before the photo-op with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama on the 8th of November, Gibbs threatened to pull the President out of the talks with Dr. Singh at Hyderabad House.
The point of dispute - instead of the agreed-upon five photographers from each side, Gibbs wanted an additional three American journalists to be allowed into the room where the photo-op would be held. Indian officials said there wasn't enough space for any more people. That's when Gibbs allegedly used his foot to keep open the door.
Unwilling to let the confrontation escalate, and with the President and PM ready to enter the room, Indian officials gave in.
On November 9, the final day of the visit, Indian cameras were forced to shoot Obama's departure from Delhi at a distance while the American crews were given closer access and were allowed to position themselves on step-ladders under the wing of the plane to capture the President and the First Lady as they boarded Air Force One.
The Ministry of External Affairs say all protocol rules had been agreed upon in writing by both sides before the visit. However, about the Hyderabad House quarrel, Obama described Gibbs' intervention as "for a good cause" to reporters, when he was headed back to America from his trip to Asia.