'Will Continue To Ask...': Bhagwant Mann Hits Back After MEA Slams Remarks On PM Modi's Foreign Visits
Punjab CM's reaction came after the MEA criticised his recent remarks on PM Modi's foreign visits. Mann said PM Modi should engage with the 140 crore people in the country and address their concerns.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday launched another attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs after he was slammed by the Centre over his "irresponsible and regrettable" remarks on the PM's foreign visits.
Responding to the MEA’s criticism, Mann questioned: "Don’t we have the right to ask the PM what foreign policy is? Who has supported us? Then why are you moving around? Why does Adani's business start wherever he (PM) goes?"
He then went on to accuse PM Modi of frequently visiting countries without revealing the diplomatic reasons or outcomes behind them. "PM is going to nations that we don’t even know the names. Taking honours from such small nations, whose names we don't even know,” he said.
Mann asserted that he will continue to ask questions in the future as well, adding, "With 140 crore people in the country, he should engage with them and address their concerns. He says he will stop the Ukraine war (Ukraine-Russia), but he can't even resolve water issues between Punjab and Haryana."
#WATCH | On MEA condemning his statements on PM Modi's recently concluded five-nation visit, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "Don't I have the right to ask about the country's foreign policy and what did he do there? Why does Adani's business start wherever he (PM) goes? I will… pic.twitter.com/kWWp5zPnKN
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2025
Punjab CM Sparks Row With Remarks On PM Modi's Foreign Visits
Mann's reaction came after the MEA on Thursday criticised his recent remarks on PM Modi's foreign visits. While addressing the media after chairing a cabinet meeting Mann had taken a dig at PM Modi, saying that he inds time to tour abroad but "fails" to address the concerns of 140 crore Indians.
He further criticised the PM Modi for celebrating foreign honour from a country with population of just 10,000 while "neglecting" the nation's issues.
"Pradhan Mantri ji has gone to Ghana? Has he come back from Ghana? Will he come back today? He will be welcomed upon his return in the country.
"Do not know which countries Magneshia, Galveshia, Tarveshia he has been visiting. (But) he is not staying in the country where 140 crore people live. The countries which he is visiting have a population of 10,000. And he got the biggest award there. Over here, 10,000 people gather to watch the JCB machine (earth moving machine)," he said.
"JCB chal rahi hai, JCB oye," the Punjab CM said, referring to the large crowd which a JCB machine attracts when it is in operation. Taking pot shots at the PM, Mann said, "He has not held a single press conference in 11 years."
MEA Slams Mann's 'Irresponsible' Remarks
Following this, the MEA disapproved his comments, calling them “irresponsible and regrettable”.
Without naming Mann, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “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.”
The MEA statement further noted that the Government of India "disassociates" itself from the "unwarranted" comments made by a "high state authority" that undermined India's ties with friendly countries.
PM Modi, who was on a five-nation tour of Brazil, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and Namibia, returned to India on Thursday.
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