Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Slams PM Modi Over Foreign Visits, Questions Centre’s Policies

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Slams PM Modi Over Foreign Visits, Questions Centre’s Policies

Mann specifically referenced PM Modi’s “surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015” where he “landed in Pakistan to eat Biryani” without an invitation.

RMN News Punjab Desk
July 11, 2025

New Delhi, July 11, 2025 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, criticizing the Prime Minister’s uninvited foreign visits and questioning the Centre’s foreign policy and its stance on the recent Diljit Dosanjh film controversy. These remarks drew a strong rebuke from the MEA, which deemed them “irresponsible and regrettable”.

Mann, in his scathing remarks, accused Prime Minister Modi of frequently visiting countries without clear diplomatic reasons or outcomes. He mockingly stated that the Prime Minister is “going to nations that we don’t even know the names,” and “taking honours from such small nations”.

Mann specifically referenced PM Modi’s “surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015” where he “landed in Pakistan to eat Biryani” without an invitation, contrasting it with restrictions on ordinary citizens traveling to Pakistan. He also ridiculed the government’s publicity, citing claims that Modi had “stopped a war between two nations” and questioning why the Prime Minister couldn’t resolve issues between Punjab and Haryana.

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Responding to the MEA’s criticism, Mann asserted the right to question the Prime Minister on foreign policy, asking, “Don’t we have the right to ask the PM what foreign policy is? Who has supported us? Then why are you moving around?”. He also highlighted what he perceived as selective outrage regarding Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming film, which features a Pakistani actor. Mann remarked on the changing labels applied, from “Gaddar” (traitor) to “Sardar”.

The Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, criticized Mann’s statements without directly naming him. Jaiswal stated, “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”.

Shifting focus, the Punjab Chief Minister also addressed critical water issues, emphasizing that Punjab does not have sufficient water. He urged the Centre not to “step back” on the Indus Waters Treaty, as Punjab expects to receive “23 MAF water”. Mann labeled the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) a “white elephant,” stating that Punjab contributes 60 percent of its expenses despite the board acting against the state’s interests.

Mann further objected to the proposed deployment of CISF at BBMB installations, questioning the necessity and the associated costs, including “some pending bills of Rs 7.5 crores”. He firmly stated that “the Punjab police is competent enough” to protect assets like the Nangal dam, citing Punjabis’ significant contributions to national defense and food security.

He highlighted that Punjabis have “fought all the battles / wars and protected borders,” and if they “can protect Kargil and its borders, then we can protect Nangal dam too”. Mann also recalled a past instance where the Punjab government was billed Rs. 2.5 crores for paramilitary deployment during the Pathankot attack.