CM Mann’s comments irresponsible: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tonight termed certain remarks made by Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Mann as “irresponsible and regrettable” and disassociated itself from the comments that undermined India’s ties with friendly countries.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was referring to the comments of Mann, made in Chandigarh today. Jaiswal 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. Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries.”

Mann, while answering questions from the media in Chandigarh, was asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he said, " The 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 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. Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB… What has he ( Modi) gotten himself into.”

Punjab