The Townhall: Nirmala Sitharaman vs Sachin Pilot on 365 Days of Modi Sarkaar

  • 55:44
  • Published On: May 20, 2015
Cinema View
Embed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on how there was a time when people felt a sense of shame at being born in India have triggered a fierce debate on social media over whether he had insulted India abroad or simply spoken the bitter truth. Now, the government has hit back at the Congress' criticism of PM Modi's remarks. Speaking to NDTV on The TownHall, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had a question for the Congress. "Did you forget about India's image abroad when the United States of America denied Narendra Modi a visa? Did you protest even once? Did you stand up even once for an elected Chief Minister of India?" she asked Congress leader and former minister Sachin Pilot who was debating her on the same programme.

Mr Pilot argued, "It's unbecoming of the Prime Minister to carry domestic politics to foreign soils. When he travels abroad, he is my Prime Minister too, isn't he?".

"He can say what he wants to in Patna or Delhi, no problem," Mr Pilot said, adding that outside India, no one should present the image of the country as "a fractured nation".

Ms Sitharaman accused the Congress of doublespeak and hypocrisy. "When 63 MPs, yours among them wrote to US senators to block Modi's visa, where was your worry for India's image abroad?"

When Mr Pilot retorted that PM Modi should direct his question on visas to US President Barack Obama and asked "Why do you want to be his best friend now?", Ms Sitharaman said, "Very lame, very lame response, expected better from Sachin."

Related Videos

"Development Is Core Issue": Sachin Pilot To NDTV On Haryana Polls
October 02, 2024 0:38
Congress vs BJP: Who Is Bringing Down Political Discourse?
September 30, 2024 25:29
Karnataka High Court Stays Probe Against Nirmala Sitharaman In Poll Bonds Case
September 30, 2024 2:36
Case Registered Against N Sitharaman Over Poll Bonds Extortion Allegation
September 28, 2024 8:55
Court Orders FIR Against N Sitharaman Over Poll Bonds Extortion Allegation
September 28, 2024 3:15
Hike Insurance Premiums For Multiple Traffic Violations: Delhi L-G Writes To Finance Ministry
September 26, 2024 3:17
Linking Insurance Premiums With Multiple Traffic Violations: Good Or Bad Idea?
September 26, 2024 24:10
Have Many Traffic Fines? You May Have To Pay More For Vehicle Insurance
September 25, 2024 24:29
"Leading Light Of Left": PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi Pay Tribute To Sitaram Yechury
September 13, 2024 8:34
GST Council Meeting: No Tax Cuts Yet On Health Insurance
September 10, 2024 3:48
Group Of Ministers To Look Into GST Rate Cut Demand On Health Insurance: Nirmala Sitharaman
September 09, 2024 0:57
Finance Minister Rubbishes Objections To Tax On Insurance Premium
August 08, 2024 2:31
  • "Don't Think Trump Will Win In Virgina": Indian American Senator To NDTV
    November 06, 2024 9:47

    "Don't Think Trump Will Win In Virgina": Indian American Senator To NDTV

  • Voters Claim They Are Being Shamed For Supporting Trump
    November 06, 2024 3:23

    Voters Claim They Are Being Shamed For Supporting Trump

  • Air India Lacks Competent Managers": P Chidambaram Slams Flight Delay
    November 06, 2024 0:49

    Air India Lacks Competent Managers": P Chidambaram Slams Flight Delay

  • Trump Says He Would Concede Defeat "If It's A Fair Election"
    November 06, 2024 4:24

    Trump Says He Would Concede Defeat "If It's A Fair Election"

  • Maharashtra Political Battle: Rebellion In Ranks As Maharashtra Elections Near
    November 06, 2024 17:26

    Maharashtra Political Battle: Rebellion In Ranks As Maharashtra Elections Near

  • The Biggest Stories Of November 5, 2024
    November 05, 2024 21:20

    The Biggest Stories Of November 5, 2024

  • Asian-Americans’ Panel Chief Lists The Key Candidates They Are Tracking
    November 05, 2024 4:54

    Asian-Americans’ Panel Chief Lists The Key Candidates They Are Tracking

  • "Trump Policies Might Lead To Trade Wars": Former Swedish PM Carl Bildt
    November 05, 2024 12:23

    "Trump Policies Might Lead To Trade Wars": Former Swedish PM Carl Bildt

  • US Election 2024: Key Electoral Issues For Voters And Who They Are Voting For
    November 05, 2024 4:25

    US Election 2024: Key Electoral Issues For Voters And Who They Are Voting For

  • Voters Flock To Polls As Immigration, Economy And Healthcare Take Center Stage
    November 05, 2024 4:25

    Voters Flock To Polls As Immigration, Economy And Healthcare Take Center Stage

  • Russia, China, Iran Accused Of US Election Interference
    November 05, 2024 20:26

    Russia, China, Iran Accused Of US Election Interference

  • US Election 2024 Results: As Voting Opens, Harris And Trump Are Dead-Even In The Tight Contest
    November 05, 2024 22:09

    US Election 2024 Results: As Voting Opens, Harris And Trump Are Dead-Even In The Tight Contest

  • Texas Decides: Economy, Immigration and Reproductive Rights Take Center Stage
    November 05, 2024 2:07

    Texas Decides: Economy, Immigration and Reproductive Rights Take Center Stage

  • Can Government Take Over Private Property? Supreme Court Draws The Line
    November 05, 2024 26:28

    Can Government Take Over Private Property? Supreme Court Draws The Line

  • Watch: UK Ex-PM Rishi Sunak, Wife Akshata Offer Prayers In Bengaluru
    November 05, 2024 0:37

    Watch: UK Ex-PM Rishi Sunak, Wife Akshata Offer Prayers In Bengaluru

  • Indian-American Community Rallies Behind Kamala Harris For President
    November 05, 2024 3:43

    Indian-American Community Rallies Behind Kamala Harris For President

  • Key Counties In Battleground States To Watch In US Election
    November 05, 2024 4:38

    Key Counties In Battleground States To Watch In US Election

  • Allan Lichtman: "Kamala Harris Will Be A Path-Breaking President"
    November 05, 2024 0:42

    Allan Lichtman: "Kamala Harris Will Be A Path-Breaking President"

  • US Elections 2024 | Strong India-US Ties Regardless Of Who Is President, Says Congressman Ami Bera
    November 05, 2024 0:40

    US Elections 2024 | Strong India-US Ties Regardless Of Who Is President, Says Congressman Ami Bera

  • Explained | Why Did the Supreme Court Overturn Allahabad HC's Judgement On Madarsa Act
    November 05, 2024 2:55

    Explained | Why Did the Supreme Court Overturn Allahabad HC's Judgement On Madarsa Act

  • Kamala Harris’s Ancestor's Village Prays for Her
    November 05, 2024 2:51

    Kamala Harris’s Ancestor's Village Prays for Her