On July 10, Bhagwant Mann jokingly remarked that PM Modi might be visiting countries like “Magnesia,” “Galveaisa,” or “Tarvesia,” implying that these trips lack significance. Mann questioned the importance of PM Modi’s visits to small-population countries, contrasting them with India’s vast population.
“PM has gone somewhere. I think it is Ghana. He will be back soon and is welcome. But who knows which countries he visits — ‘Magnesia,’ ‘Galveaisa,’ ‘Tarvesia.’ He doesn’t stay in a country with 140 crore people. Instead, he visits places with populations of just 10,000, where he receives the ‘highest awards.’ Meanwhile, here, 10,000 people gather just to watch a JCB… What is he up to!,” ANI quoted Mann as saying.
#WATCH | Chandigarh | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "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'. He does not stay in a country with 140 crore people. He is… pic.twitter.com/lbOObtIRDB
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2025
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described remarks made by a “high state authority” regarding India’s relations with friendly Global South countries as “irresponsible and regrettable,” stating that such comments are unbecoming of the authority.
Our response to media queries regarding comments made by a high state authority⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/hQ8lKEgk1Z pic.twitter.com/NgPxgr6HBC— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 10, 2025
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have noted comments by a high state authority regarding India’s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible, regrettable, and unbecoming of the state authority. The Government of India distances itself from such unwarranted statements that undermine India’s ties with its friendly nations.”
PM Modi recently completed a landmark five-nation tour—his longest foreign trip in a decade—visiting Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia from July 2 to 9.
During the tour, he participated in the BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and held bilateral talks with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, focusing on defence cooperation, renewable energy, and digital public infrastructure.
PM Modi was awarded Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross.” In Ghana, he also received the nation’s top civilian award, the “Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana.”
