- By Aditya Jha
- Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his remarks on the foreign trips of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While disassociating itself from the remarks, the MEA stated that the statement from the Punjab chief minister was "irresponsible" and "regrettable". Bhagwant Mann, while taking a jibe at PM Modi's foreign visits, stated that the prime minister is visiting countries with populations less than even 10,000. PM Modi on Thursday returned to India after his five-nation visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.
“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," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated. "Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries," he added.
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Earlier, Bhagwant Mann stated that while the prime minister is visiting countries with much smaller populations, he is not staying with the 140 crore people of India. “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," Mann stated.
"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!" he added. Earlier last week, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also questioned the frequent foreign visits of PM Modi.
He stated that while the country is dealing with several serious issues, the prime minister "escapes" to foreign nations. The Congress also pointed out that the prime minister is yet to visit Manipur, where hundreds of people have died due to the violence.
