Lanka Apologises After Affront to Jaya, Modi

August 2, 2014

Chennai, Aug 2: The entire political spectrum of Tamil Nadu on Friday spoke in one voice to rally behind Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, hitting out in sharp terms against the Sri Lankan government for the insensitive portrayal of the CM and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Lankan Defence Ministry website. The virulent response in the State quickly resulted in an ‘unqualified apology’ by the Lankan government.

The row erupted over the prominent display of an article on the website on Jayalalithaa’s letters to Modi on the Tamil Nadu fishermen issue by a Sri Lankan journalist flippantly portraying the raging matter.

It was, however, the pictorial representation accompanying the piece, which Jayalalithaa described as ‘highly objectionable’, that sparked the row.

By the time Jayalalithaa wrote a strongly worded letter to Modi, almost every party in Tamil Nadu, including Jayalalithaa’s arch rival DMK, rallied firmly behind her.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the Centre took up the matter with Sri Lanka with “alacrity” leading to its removal from the Lankan Defence Ministry website.

“The visual rendering on the homepage of the official website just above the link is highly objectionable as it depicted both the Prime Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in a very trivialised, derogatory and disrespectful manner,” read Jayalalithaa’s letter to Modi.

“While as a public political figure in a vibrant democracy with full freedom of press, I have faced criticism and comment from many sources, this blatant attempt to ridicule and trivialise the untiring efforts made by a democratically elected leader to resolve an important livelihood issue of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu by hosting a highly objectionable article prominently on the official website of an important Ministry of a neighbouring country, is completely unacceptable,” said the Chief Minister.

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PM Modi, King Abdullah II share 8-point vision to deepen India-Jordan ties

News Network

December 16,2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman, during which the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, with the Prime Minister outlining an eight-point vision covering key areas of cooperation.

Describing the meeting as “productive”, PM Modi said he shared a roadmap focused on trade and economy, fertilisers and agriculture, information technology, healthcare, infrastructure, critical and strategic minerals, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

In a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister praised King Abdullah II’s personal commitment to advancing India–Jordan relations, particularly as both countries mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

“Held productive discussions with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. His personal commitment towards vibrant India-Jordan relations is noteworthy. This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations,” PM Modi said.

The meeting took place at the Al Husseiniya Palace, where the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in areas including trade and investment, defence and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation, fertilisers and agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, and heritage.

The MEA said both leaders reaffirmed their united stand against terrorism.

PM Modi arrived in Amman earlier on Monday and was received by Jordanian Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who accorded him a formal welcome. Following the talks, King Abdullah II hosted a banquet dinner in honour of the Prime Minister, reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties.

Jordan is the first leg of PM Modi’s three-nation tour. From Amman, the Prime Minister will travel to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marking his first official visit to the African nation. The tour will conclude with a visit to Oman.

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