The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent remarks ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits, calling them "irresponsible and regrettable". The MEA's criticism followed Mann's sarcastic comments questioning the relevance of Modi's recent five-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
Mann took a dig at the Prime Minister's frequent foreign travels, mocking the destinations and their significance. At a public event, Mann joked about Modi visiting countries with small populations and receiving awards there, while neglecting the concerns of 1.4 billion Indians. He used made-up names like "Magnesia," "Galveaisa," and "Tarvesia" to ridicule the visits. He quipped that Modi prefers visiting countries where the population is only 10,000, whereas in India, a similar number of people gather to watch a JCB machine. He also pointed out that the Prime Minister has not held a single press conference in 11 years.
The MEA, without naming Mann, disassociated the government from his statements, asserting that they undermine India's relations with friendly nations in the Global South. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the remarks were "irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority". The MEA emphasized the importance of diplomacy and urged public figures to uphold national responsibility.
Mann's comments coincided with PM Modi's return from a tour across two continents, focused on strengthening partnerships with key nations in the Global South. During this tour, Modi was conferred with honors such as the "Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana" and the "Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago". His visit to Argentina marked the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years, with talks focusing on critical minerals, energy, and digital platforms.
The MEA's strong response underscores the importance the government places on maintaining strong international relations and the sensitivity surrounding comments that could potentially damage those ties. The incident has sparked a political row, with the Centre disapproving of Mann's remarks and reaffirming its commitment to its relationships with nations in the Global South.
