India, July 10 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said comments made by what they called a "high state authority" on "India's relation with friendly countries from the Global South" were "irresponsible and regrettable", adding that they do not behove the state authority.

The statement by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal did not name the "high state authority" but came after Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday made a sarcastic comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's return to India from his five-nation tour, questioning the significance of his trips to countries with small populations.

"We have seen some comments made by a high state authority about India's relations with friendly countries from the Globa...