'PM Modi prefers direct contact': MEA after journalist's query on Media engagements

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-nation tour, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday said the Prime Minister believes in engaging directly with the people rather than communicating through intermediaries.

The remarks came after a journalist in New Zealand asked why Modi had not held a press conference or interacted with the media during his official visit.

The query was posed to MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon during a media briefing in New Zealand. Responding to it, Tandon said it would not be appropriate for him, as a civil servant, to comment on the Prime Minister's political style.

He, however, said the question reminded him of a similar one asked during Modi's visit to Norway earlier this year.

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"Your question has that quality of déjà vu, because it's not appropriate for me as a civil servant to question Mr. Modi's political method. He's a very successful politician," Tandon said.

'PM Modi has perfected the art of direct contact'

Explaining the Prime Minister's approach, Tandon described Modi as a "quintessential Indian politician" who prefers direct interaction with voters.

"Prime Minister Modi is a quintessential Indian politician. By and large, Indian politicians favour direct contact with their electorate," he said.

According to Tandon, India's electorate is largely rural and values face-to-face engagement with political leaders rather than communication through intermediaries.

"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," he said.

He added that Modi had mastered this style of public outreach.

"PM Modi has perfected the art of direct contact with his electorate, and he seems to be doing a rather good job of it, since he's been elected now, he's in his third term, he's one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers in our country," Tandon said.

Focus on Indo-Pacific partnership

Speaking about the objectives of Modi's visit, Tandon said strengthening the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific was among its key priorities.

"The purpose of this visit is to strengthen the rule-based Indo-Pacific order. One of the reasons we look at New Zealand as a significant partner in this part of the world is because of our joint quest for strengthening the rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific, which is very important for India as an Indian Ocean nation," he said.

The MEA said cooperation with New Zealand on promoting a rules-based Indo-Pacific remained an important aspect of the Prime Minister's visit.

Similar question asked during Norway visit

Tandon noted that a similar question had been raised during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Norway in May.

During a joint media interaction with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, a journalist had asked why Modi did not take questions from the media and referred to India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index.

At the time, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George had responded by defending India's democratic institutions and media environment.