05:02A reporter berated US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller for 'smirking' after asking for a commented on the reported '186,000' death toll in Gaza, during the briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday.
Footage shows the media representative saying he had got the figure from the 'Lancet' British medical journal, while Miller admitted he had 'seen the report'.
"The reported number already is unacceptable - the number of civilian deaths. So, of course, something higher than that would just be further tragedy. But we long ago passed the stage where – this is has been a horrific human tragedy for some time," Miller said.
"You’re smirking. You’re smirking as you say that," the reporter responded, while the spokesperson denied doing so.
"Absolutely not. I’m not going to – I’m not even going to entertain that," he added.
Another journalist asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, meeting with President Vladimir Putin and their 'continued agreements' on energy and oil.
"You’ve been previously a little bit reluctant to criticise India for importing Russian oil," the reporter stated.
"We have been quite clear about our concerns about India’s relationship with Russia. We have expressed those privately, directly to the Indian Government and continue to do so, and that hasn’t change," Miller responded.
"How do you view the Modi-Putin hugging chemistry"" he was asked, following the embrace between the leaders. "President Zelensky has seriously objected, saying it’s a huge disappointment that the leader of the world’s largest democracy hugs a bloody criminal in Moscow? This is a devastating blow to peace efforts. Will this create any impact on your trusted and strategic partnership with India?"
"We urge India, we continue to urge India, to support efforts to realise an enduring and just peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter, based on upholding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty," Miller replied. "And that will continue to be what we will engage with Ukraine – I’m sorry – we will engage with India about."
Modi travelled to Moscow for a two-day visit and talks with Putin earlier this week, leaving on Tuesday.
'You're smirking!' - Reporter berates State Dept's Miller over '186,000 death toll' in Gaza
A reporter berated US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller for 'smirking' after asking for a commented on the reported '186,000' death toll in Gaza, during the briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday.
Footage shows the media representative saying he had got the figure from the 'Lancet' British medical journal, while Miller admitted he had 'seen the report'.
"The reported number already is unacceptable - the number of civilian deaths. So, of course, something higher than that would just be further tragedy. But we long ago passed the stage where – this is has been a horrific human tragedy for some time," Miller said.
"You’re smirking. You’re smirking as you say that," the reporter responded, while the spokesperson denied doing so.
"Absolutely not. I’m not going to – I’m not even going to entertain that," he added.
Another journalist asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, meeting with President Vladimir Putin and their 'continued agreements' on energy and oil.
"You’ve been previously a little bit reluctant to criticise India for importing Russian oil," the reporter stated.
"We have been quite clear about our concerns about India’s relationship with Russia. We have expressed those privately, directly to the Indian Government and continue to do so, and that hasn’t change," Miller responded.
"How do you view the Modi-Putin hugging chemistry"" he was asked, following the embrace between the leaders. "President Zelensky has seriously objected, saying it’s a huge disappointment that the leader of the world’s largest democracy hugs a bloody criminal in Moscow? This is a devastating blow to peace efforts. Will this create any impact on your trusted and strategic partnership with India?"
"We urge India, we continue to urge India, to support efforts to realise an enduring and just peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter, based on upholding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty," Miller replied. "And that will continue to be what we will engage with Ukraine – I’m sorry – we will engage with India about."
Modi travelled to Moscow for a two-day visit and talks with Putin earlier this week, leaving on Tuesday.
A reporter berated US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller for 'smirking' after asking for a commented on the reported '186,000' death toll in Gaza, during the briefing in Washington DC on Tuesday.
Footage shows the media representative saying he had got the figure from the 'Lancet' British medical journal, while Miller admitted he had 'seen the report'.
"The reported number already is unacceptable - the number of civilian deaths. So, of course, something higher than that would just be further tragedy. But we long ago passed the stage where – this is has been a horrific human tragedy for some time," Miller said.
"You’re smirking. You’re smirking as you say that," the reporter responded, while the spokesperson denied doing so.
"Absolutely not. I’m not going to – I’m not even going to entertain that," he added.
Another journalist asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia, meeting with President Vladimir Putin and their 'continued agreements' on energy and oil.
"You’ve been previously a little bit reluctant to criticise India for importing Russian oil," the reporter stated.
"We have been quite clear about our concerns about India’s relationship with Russia. We have expressed those privately, directly to the Indian Government and continue to do so, and that hasn’t change," Miller responded.
"How do you view the Modi-Putin hugging chemistry"" he was asked, following the embrace between the leaders. "President Zelensky has seriously objected, saying it’s a huge disappointment that the leader of the world’s largest democracy hugs a bloody criminal in Moscow? This is a devastating blow to peace efforts. Will this create any impact on your trusted and strategic partnership with India?"
"We urge India, we continue to urge India, to support efforts to realise an enduring and just peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter, based on upholding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty," Miller replied. "And that will continue to be what we will engage with Ukraine – I’m sorry – we will engage with India about."
Modi travelled to Moscow for a two-day visit and talks with Putin earlier this week, leaving on Tuesday.