A New Zealand journalist has raised questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi not holding press conferences during his interactions with Indian diplomats, drawing a reaction from a senior official in the Ministry of External Affairs who defended Modi’s style of political communication.
This question came during Modi’s visit to New Zealand, the last stop of his three-nation tour, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
During the interaction, a New Zealand journalist asked the Indian diplomats: “Why didn’t Prime Minister Modi hold a press conference?”
Responding to the query, External Affairs Ministry official Rudhirendra Tandon said he had no right to comment on the Prime Minister’s political approach.
“It is not appropriate for me as a government employee to question Modi’s political style. He is a very successful politician. But let me give you some context,” he said.
Explaining Modi’s communication style, Tandon described him as a leader who prefers to deal directly with voters rather than communicating through intermediaries. He said: “Prime Minister Modi is a model Indian politician. On the whole, Indian politicians prefer direct contact with their voters. They want direct contact. They do not like to be talked down to. They do not like to be talked to through intermediaries.”
“Modi has mastered the art of direct communication with his voters. He seems to be doing a fairly good job since his election, as you know. He is in his third term. He is one of the longest serving prime ministers of our country,” Tandon added.
Norwegian journalistic controversy
A similar question arose during a visit to Norway. During a joint media appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Jahr Sture in Oslo in May, journalist Helle Laing called Modi as he was leaving the venue and asked why he was not taking questions from journalists.
The Prime Minister did not respond to the question, and the conversation later sparked debate in sections of the media and on social media.
An official reception in New Zealand
Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday in what he described as a “historic” visit, the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.
To mark the occasion, Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower was lit up in Indian tricolours. At 328 metres, this landmark is one of the city’s most iconic sights and offers panoramic views of Auckland.
The light show was organized as a special gesture to honor Modi’s visit.
During the visit, Modi also met members of the Indian community and attended cultural programs that included performances from various parts of India.
The visit comes just months after India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement in April. The agreement follows bilateral discussions between Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025, as the two sides seek to deepen economic and strategic cooperation.
