‘Magnesia, Galveaisa, Tarvesia’: Bhagwant Mann mocks Modi’s foreign visits; MEA reacts

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took a jibe at Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s recent overseas trips, sarcastically questioning the importance of visiting countries with relatively small populations.

While welcoming the Prime Minister back to India, Mann made light of Modi’s foreign travels by inventing names of fictional nations like “Magnesia,” “Galveaisa,” and “Tarvesia,” implying that many of the countries on Modi’s itinerary are little-known and sparsely populated.

“God knows which countries he keeps visiting—Magnesia, Galveaisa, Tarvesia,” Mann said at a public event. “He doesn’t spend time in a country with 140 crore people but travels to nations with barely 10,000 people, and then returns with their ‘highest awards’. Here, even a JCB gathering draws 10,000 people. What is he even doing?”

Mann’s remarks appeared to ridicule what he viewed as the inflated importance being given to such visits, particularly when the Prime Minister is awarded honours by small nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later criticised Mann’s comments, calling them “irresponsible,” especially in the context of India’s diplomatic efforts.

Modi recently completed a five-nation tour from July 2 to 9, covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.