Rewriting the rules of formal engagement

Elon Musk bringing his young children to a meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in the US has caused more than a flutter.

- Lloyd Mathias

Reactions have ranged from amusement to indignation, sparking discussions on diplomatic propriety, modern parenting, and the shifting norms of professional spaces. Some critics viewed Musk's move as a blatant disregard for decorum, trivialising an important occasion. Others called for India to lodge a formal protest, arguing that it insulted the honour of the PM. However, Musk's approach is not entirely new. In the past, he carried his son, X Æ A-XII, on his shoulders at the Oval Office when meeting then-US President Donald Trump. That moment, too, broke conventional expectations, sparking conversations about how workplaces are evolving to accommodate family life.