‘Irresponsible, Regrettable’: MEA Slams Punjab CM Mann's Remarks On PM Modi’s 5-Nation Tour
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a strong response to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s comments mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-nation tour, calling them “irresponsible and regrettable.”
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in an official statement, said, “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. The Government of India dissociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries.”
The statement came hours after Mann, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), ridiculed PM Modi’s recent visits to nations including Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia by naming fictional countries and questioning the significance of the destinations.
Bhagwant Mann Mocks PM Modi’s Travels With Fictional Country Names
While addressing reporters, Mann made a sarcastic remark aimed at the Prime Minister’s travel itinerary. “PM has gone somewhere. I think it is Ghana. He is going to be back, and he is welcome. God knows which countries he keeps visiting, ‘Magnesia’, ‘Galveaisa’, ‘Tarvesia’,” he said, drawing laughter from his audience.
“He does not stay in a country with 140 crore people. He is visiting countries where the population is 10,000 and he is getting the ‘highest awards’ there,” Mann added. “Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB… What has he gotten himself into!…” he said.
Mann’s remarks came as Prime Minister Modi wrapped up a five-nation diplomatic outreach tour focused on strengthening India’s relations with countries in the Global South.
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