mea-criticises-punjab-cm-for-remarks-on-pm-modi-s-foreign-visits

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on late Thursday strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his recent comments mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-nation foreign tour. The MEA termed Mann’s remarks “irresponsible and regrettable,” expressing deep disapproval over the tone and content of his statements.

Speaking at a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, without directly naming Mann, stated, “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.”

#WATCH | Chandigarh | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "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… pic.twitter.com/lbOObtIRDB

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2025

The sharp response came after Chief Minister Mann, at a public event, made a scathing and sarcastic comment about Prime Minister Modi's recent international visits. Referring to the PM’s latest five-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia, Mann openly mocked the trips and the countries involved.

“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’,” Mann said, inventing fictitious country names to deride the destinations.He went on to say, “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 gotten himself into!”

The MEA’s reaction underscores the Centre’s sensitivity regarding India’s diplomatic engagements, especially with nations from the Global South, which have become a focus of India’s foreign policy strategy. The PM’s tour had involved efforts to strengthen bilateral ties, boost trade and investment, and enhance India’s global outreach—objectives the government views as vital to national interests. While CM Mann's remarks were intended as political satire, they have drawn criticism from several quarters for undermining the seriousness of India’s international relations and the stature of the Prime Minister’s office.

 

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