The North News
New Delhi, July 11
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a sharp rebuke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for what it described as “irresponsible and regrettable” remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic outreach to countries of the Global South. In his comments, Mann appeared to mock Modi’s visits to countries he mispronounced as “Magnesia”, “Galveaisa”, and “Tarvesia”, leading to criticism from the MEA for undermining India’s foreign policy agenda.
Without naming Mann directly, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal 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.”
He further added that the Government of India “disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries.” The episode highlights the political friction between the central government and regional leaders over foreign policy posturing, an area traditionally reserved for the Union government. While Mann’s remarks may have been intended as political satire, the MEA’s response indicates a zero-tolerance stance on public statements that could be perceived as belittling diplomatic partnerships, particularly with nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where India is increasingly investing political capital. The MEA’s strong statement underscores its intent to maintain the decorum of foreign relations amid rising populist rhetoric in domestic politics.
