Was this US guard opening the left door of the car expecting Mrs Modi?

This US guard, who was to open the door for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had some awkward moments when Modi arrived. Was he expecting PM Modi's wife to be with him?

Listen to Story

Was this US guard opening the left door of the car expecting Mrs Modi?

A US guard was seen trying to open the left door of PM Modi's car. Protocol or a boo-boo? Photo: Screengrab from Doordarshan video

India Today Web Desk

New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 17, 2017 13:26 IST

The much anticipated PM Narendra Modi - President Donald Trump meet is now over.

Modi, the first leader to be invited to the White House, had a one-on-one interaction with US President Donald Trump, and held a joint conference for the media post their interaction. PM Modi then proceeded to a cocktail reception and a working dinner with the First Family of the United States.

A red carpet welcome awaited PM Modi on Monday, with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump waiting to greet him at the White House. Marine Sentries at the White House were waiting to do their ceremonial duty of opening the car doors for PM Modi.

But one of the sentries had some awkward moments as Narendra Modi's car arrived.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

US President @realDonaldTrump welcomes PM @narendramodi on his arrival at @WhiteHouse in Washington D.C.https://t.co/JYmHbWQhyw pic.twitter.com/eN8Yb3fjg1- Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) June 26, 2017

Two Marine corps, standing on either sides of the car PM Modi was in, could be seen saluting as the car arrives. Both of them take two steps towards the car, holds the door, say something to each other (possibly, "at the count of three"), and tries to open the door.

PM Modi was seated on the right side. Usually, the guest's wife sits on the adjacent seat, and the guards open that door too. Was the White House ignorant of the fact that PM Modi's wife doesn't live, travel with him? Or do they open the left door anyway?

Not just that, the guard on the left side of the car could be seen struggling to open the door he was supposed to. He manages to, eventually, and holds the door open for no one in particular.

It probably is a protocol there.

Twitter user @GabbbarSingh was quick to notice this. He tweeted...

1 Modi's car arrives2. Guard salutes3. Goes to open the door for Mrs Modi4. NO Mrs Modi ?????? pic.twitter.com/fOCugaAdS7- Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 26, 2017

And other Twitter users tagged along, wondering about PM Modi's wife.

Trump laughing as Modi could not come with his wife ..#ModiTrumpMeet pic.twitter.com/sphcUtEY2C- Shuvankar Mukherjee (@shuvankr) June 26, 2017

Trump : No Wife??
Modi : hahaha#ModiTrumpMeet pic.twitter.com/lc39rIQ6Jz- Karun (@coldcoffee76) June 26, 2017

Hey Mark, do you know if PM Modi brought his wife? Didn't see her get out of the vehicle to greet POTUS and FLOTUS- Obi_1_DBased??º?? (@obiopiah) June 26, 2017

US Marine opens a door for Modi's wife.. ????????? pic.twitter.com/1XugQIXSNa- Lucifer (@ChhotiGoldFlake) June 27, 2017

In another video that showed PM Modi leaving the White House after the working dinner, we noticed the Marine corp opening the left door of Modi's car again, even though there was no one to enter the vehicle from that side.