Key Points
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) calls Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s remarks on PM Modi’s foreign trips “irresponsible” and “regrettable.”
- MEA asserts that such comments undermine India’s relations with friendly Global South nations and do not reflect the position of the Government of India.
- Mann had mocked the Prime Minister’s visits to smaller countries, questioning their significance and the awards received.
- PM Modi recently concluded a five-nation tour Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia attending the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
- BJP highlights major economic, diplomatic, and cultural achievements from the tour, including new mineral agreements and diaspora outreach.
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a pointed statement condemning Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s recent comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign travels. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Mann’s remarks as “irresponsible and regrettable,” emphasizing that such statements do not represent the Government of India and risk undermining diplomatic ties with friendly nations, especially those in the Global South.
“We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority. Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries,” said Jaiswal.
Bhagwant Mann’s Jibe at PM Modi
During a public event, Bhagwant Mann criticized Prime Minister Modi’s frequent international visits, suggesting that the PM was traveling to obscure countries with small populations and receiving awards of questionable value. Mann quipped about Modi’s trips to countries like “Ghana” and fictitious names, and mocked the significance of these visits compared to domestic issues, stating that “10,000 people gather to watch a JCB here.”
PM Modi’s Five-Nation Diplomatic Tour
Prime Minister Modi recently returned from a significant five-nation tour, which included stops in Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The trip also featured Modi’s participation in the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro under Brazil’s chairmanship.
Key Highlights of the Tour
- BRICS Summit: India played a pivotal role in the summit’s declaration, which included a strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack hailed by the BJP as a major diplomatic success.
- Strategic Agreements: India signed new agreements with Ghana and Namibia, both rich in critical minerals like copper, uranium, lithium, and rare earth metals resources vital for India’s technological and energy ambitions.
- Diaspora Engagement: In Trinidad & Tobago, Modi strengthened cultural and emotional ties with the Indian diaspora, which forms a significant part of the country’s population.
BJP’s Defense: Economic and Diplomatic Gains
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi defended the Prime Minister’s international outreach, stating that the tour marked a “new era” for India’s global role, especially in cooperation with African and southern nations. Trivedi highlighted the economic benefits of the new mineral agreements and the diplomatic achievements at the BRICS Summit. He also underscored the importance of engaging with the Indian diaspora to build cultural and economic bridges worldwide.
The MEA’s sharp response to Bhagwant Mann’s remarks underscores the sensitivity of India’s foreign policy and the importance the government places on maintaining strong international partnerships. As India seeks to expand its global influence through economic, diplomatic, and cultural engagement, the government has made it clear that divisive or dismissive commentary from domestic leaders will not be tolerated, especially when it comes to the nation’s standing on the world stage.
