A senior Ministry of External Affairs official said Prime Minister Narendra Modi prefers direct communication with the public over holding press conferences [1].
This stance highlights a consistent strategic choice by the Indian leadership to bypass traditional media intermediaries in favor of direct engagement with the electorate. By avoiding the unpredictable nature of press briefings, the administration maintains tighter control over its messaging and public image.
The explanation came during the Prime Minister's official visit to New Zealand this month [1]. The official said Modi is a politician who favors a direct connection with the people [2].
According to the official, this approach is rooted in the belief that direct contact with voters is a more effective political method [3]. This strategy allows the Prime Minister to speak directly to his base without the filtering, or questioning, typical of a press conference environment.
While the visit focused on diplomatic ties, the interaction between the press and the Ministry of External Affairs underscored a long-standing tension regarding transparency and media access. The official said the Prime Minister's preference for directness is a core part of his political identity [1].
Separately, reports during this period noted that at least 26 people were killed in Manipur over the last four months [4].
“PM Modi prefers direct communication with the public and does not hold press conferences”
The Indian government's insistence on direct communication signifies a broader shift toward 'disintermediation' in political discourse. By treating the press as an unnecessary middleman, the administration leverages social media and mass rallies to build a personal bond with the electorate, effectively insulating the Prime Minister from real-time critical scrutiny by the press corps.
