PM Narendra Modi, greets members of Congress after addressing a joint session of the United States Congress at the US Capitol on June 8, 2016 in Washington, DC. (AFP Photo)
Highlights
- US lawmakers, staff aides advised to refrain from selfies with PM Modi
- 'No shaking hands unless they extend it', suggested a protocol expert
- PM Modi spent 4 hours at Capitol Hill for meetings after his speech
The first rule for lawmakers and staff aides who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip to Washington? No selfies.
That was the advice from a House protocol expert ahead of PM Modi's visit, which included a speech to a
joint meeting of the Congress on Wednesday.
"First and foremost - NO SELFIES!! Taking selfies with a visiting Head of State is incredibly inappropriate and tactless," said the message from House Foreign Affairs Committee protocol aide Elizabeth Heng. "Make sure your boss does not do this."
There was another helpful tip: "As a general practice, do not attempt to shake a head of state's hand unless they extend their hand first."
Ms Heng's missive was posted to Twitter by reporter Scott Wong of The Hill.
PM Modi spent some four hours at the Hill attending four back to back meetings after his address to the joint sitting of the Congress.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, who invited the Prime Minister for his address, also hosted a lunch for him. PM Modi also attended a reception hosted in his honour by the Senate and House foreign relations committees and the India Caucuses in the House and the Senate.
As he left the Capitol Hill, the Prime Minister broke protocol to reach out to members of the Indian community waiting outside, shaking hands with many of them.