‘An Ungainly Sight’: Obama’s Gum Chewing Disgusts Media In India

Barack Obama has been accused of being disrespectful after being caught chewing gum during the Republic Day parade in India, reports the Hindu.

A photo of the President removing the gum from his mouth, before popping it back in, has been shared across Twitter. At the time, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears to be trying to explain something to the president.

“In an ungainly sight, cameras caught US President Brack Obama chewing gum during the Republic Day parade on Monday. In the picture captured by cameras and posted on Twitter by some users, Obama was spotted removing his chewing gum while PM Modi was seen trying to explain something to the US president,” the Times of India wrote.

According to the Daily Mail, Twitter user Shobhaa De wrote, “Barack bhai working his jaws overtime and chewing gum! At least it’s isn’t gutka. But seriously – gum during a formal parade?”

American media speculated that President Obama was most probably chewing Nicorette.

Peter Baker, a White House correspondent, tweeted, “Obama appears to be enjoying parade, shown on Indian television bobbing his head with the music. Seems to be chewing gum, probably Nicorette.”

This is not the first time the president has been blasted for chewing gum during state functions. The Inquisitr previously reported that the president was caught chewing gum during the D-Day Memorial.

President Obama was honored as the chief guest at India’s annual parade and took in grand displays of Indian military hardware, marching bands, elaborately dressed camels, and acrobatic feats. Along with first lady Michelle Obama, the president was greeted with rapturous applause as he joined the parade in New Delhi as part of a three-day visit to India.

The visit is aimed at strengthening a relationship between the world’s largest democracies that has, at times, been fraught with tension and suspicion.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation for President Obama to attend the parade surprised White House officials. After some internal deliberation, the president ultimately decided to attend and has sought to use the visit to turn his burgeoning personal friendship with Modi into policy breakthroughs.