Goa, July 11 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly criticized recent remarks made by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who appeared to mock Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to several countries during a press conference. Without directly naming Mann, the MEA stated that such comments are "irresponsible and regrettable" and "do not behove" someone holding high office.

During his press conference on Thursday, Chief Minister Mann made light of the Prime Minister's five-nation tour-covering Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia-by joking about the names and significance of the countries visited. He questioned the value of the visits and the civilian awards conferred upon PM Modi by nations with c...