Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "quintessential" Indian politician who favours direct contact with the electorate, during a special media briefing on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand. The comment came in response to a question about why PM Modi did not hold a press conference for New Zealand journalists during his official visit.
Deja Vu Moment for MEA Official
Tandon chuckled at the query, noting it gave him a "deja vu" of a similar incident during PM Modi's visit to Norway. He clarified that it was not appropriate for him as a civil servant to question Modi's political method, but provided context: "Prime Minister Modi is a quintessential Indian politician. By and large, Indian politicians favour direct contact with their electorate."
Indian Electorate Prefers Direct Engagement
Emphasising that the Indian electorate wants "direct contact," Tandon said PM Modi has perfected this art. "And you must remember that the Indian electorate are predominantly rural folk. They want direct contact. They don't like being spoken down to, they don't like being spoken to through intermediaries. And Mr. Modi has perfected the art of direct contact with his electorate, and he seems to be doing a rather good job of it, since you know, he's been elected now, he's in his third term, he's one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in our country," he stated.
Earlier Incident in Norway
This is not the first time PM Modi's interaction style has drawn attention. During his visit to Norway, a Norwegian newspaper commentator posted on X that PM Modi did not take her question, also referencing India and Norway's rankings in the World Press Freedom Index. In response, India reiterated on May 19 its firm stance on human rights protection, maintaining its belief in democracy and the constitution. MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George reminded the West that despite India having one-sixth of the world's population, the country does not contribute to one-sixth of the world's problems.
Impact and Significance
The MEA's remarks highlight the Prime Minister's preference for direct communication with the public, a strategy that has contributed to his electoral success over three terms. This approach contrasts with Western media expectations, but aligns with the preferences of India's rural majority. The briefing underscores the cultural and political nuances that shape India's diplomatic engagements abroad.
