Do not behove state authority: MEA on Punjab CM Mann's comments criticising PM Modi's visits

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday disapproved of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits, terming his comments "irresponsible".

Without naming Mann, it said the government of India "disassociates" itself from the "unwarranted" comments made by a "high state authority" that undermined India's ties with friendly countries.

Mann had criticised the prime minister's just-concluded five-nation tour of Brazil, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia.


"We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India's relations with friendly countries from the Global South," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove a state authority," he said, responding to media queries on Mann's remarks.

"The government of India disassociates itself from such unwarranted comments that undermine India's ties with friendly countries," Jaiswal said.

Mann, addressing a media briefing, took potshots at Modi, alleging that he does not stay in a "country with 140 crore people", but tours "countries where the population is 10,000".