MEA terms Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s comments on Modi’s foreign visits ‘irresponsible’, ‘regrettable’
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to several Global South nations, calling his remarks “irresponsible” and “regrettable.”
During a press conference on Thursday, Mann had taken a jibe at Modi's overseas engagements, questioning the relevance of the countries visited and implying that they were obscure and sparsely populated. “He is not staying in the country where 140 crore people live,” Mann said, mockingly naming the destinations as “Magnesia,” “Galvesia,” and “Tarvesia.” He further commented, “What is the population of the countries he has been visiting? Ten thousand. And he has received their biggest awards. Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB in action.”
Reacting later that day, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a statement without naming Mann directly but clearly referencing the comments. “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,” Jaiswal said.
He added that the Government of India “disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India’s ties with friendly countries.”
Prime Minister Modi returned on Thursday from a multi-nation tour that included Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The trip also featured his participation in the BRICS summit held in Rio de Janeiro.
During the visit, Modi was conferred several prestigious honours, including:
Order of the Star of Ghana
Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil)
Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis (Namibia)
In Argentina, he was also presented with a ceremonial key to the city of Buenos Aires.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
