NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Thursday condemned remarks made by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent five-nation tour, calling them “irresponsible and regrettable.” Without directly naming Mann, the MEA disassociated the central government from the statements, which it said undermined India’s ties with friendly nations from 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,” said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “Government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries,” he added.The response came shortly after Mann made a series of sarcastic remarks to the media, questioning the relevance of the Prime Minister’s visit to countries such as Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. Taking a swipe at the destinations, Mann joked that Modi may as well have been visiting places called “Magnesia,” “Galveaisa,” or “Tarvesia.”Also read: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s odd jibe at PM Modi’s foreign trips; says PM doesn’t stay in India, visits small countries“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. “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!…,” he added.Mann’s comments coincided with PM Modi’s return from a landmark tour spanning two continents, where he focused on building stronger partnerships with key nations in the Global South. In Ghana, Modi was conferred the “Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana,” while in Trinidad and Tobago — the first visit by an Indian PM in over two decades — he addressed Parliament and was honoured with the “Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.”PM Modi’s visit to Argentina was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 57 years. Talks centred on critical minerals, energy, and digital platforms. Argentina expressed interest in adopting India’s UPI system. In Brazil, Modi attended the BRICS Summit and received the “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.” Namibia became the first country to adopt India’s UPI platform and awarded PM Modi the “Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis.”
