Narendra Modi walks on as Indian Anthem plays out

A Russian official nudges him back as it was a breach of protocol

On his nth foreign visit, Modi reached Russia, in hopes of improving a somewhat stained relationship between the countries and to buy one or two nuclear war ships and Sukhoi air crafts. But the visit has started with an embarrassing moment for the Prime Minister. 

As the PM starts walking in the cold Russian night, the band starts to play Indian national anthem. Modi walks on, and a Russian official save the day, who stopped Modi and brought him back as according to protocol a head of state should stand in attention during the national anthem.

The video suggests that it was a moment of confusion on Modi’s part. Because in the video an official is seen prompting the PM to walk ahead. But it is not clear whether the official meant the band to start or the PM. 

This is not the first time Modi PM has been embarassed by mix-ups. During his Japan visit he was seen meeting Shinzo Abe beside an Indian flag which was upside down. Modi’s gift to US president, Barack Obama, had also created controversy where he presented the US counterpart a signed national flag. And in an unforgettable incident, recently a family was thrown out of a Movie theater for not standing up during national anthem. So it is not astonishing if he became a victim of a few harmless jokes.

Twitter users and Modi critics were quick to latch on to the protocol gaffe.

 

PM Modi walks during russian national anthem #ModiInsultsNationalAnthem https://t.co/lEMh5AQJS8 via @YouTube

— Swachh Politics (@SwachhPolitics) December 23, 2015

Maybe he thought the national anthem was background music for his heroic walk. #ModiInsultsNationalAnthem

— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) December 23, 2015

#ModiInsultsNationalAnthem what a worst Prime Minister he is...always happy to insult national thing 1st 6lag and now Anthem...

— dassy (@dasbrata) December 23, 2015

We have a PM who: Walks during Anthem Signs on National Flag Rubs his nose wit Flag Stud in front of ulta tiranga #ModiInsultsNationalAnthem

— RajnikantV/sCIDJokes (@RVCJ_FB) December 24, 2015

If it would hv been Hameed Ansari instead of Modi, bhakts wud hv chartered an airplane n sent him to Pak by now. #ModiInsultsNationalAnthem

— Mehek (@MehekF) December 24, 2015

Maybe he thought the national anthem was background music for his heroic walk. #ModiInsultsNationalAnthem

— Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder) December 23, 2015

It is purely the mistake of Moscow's officials. They should not have played National Anthem when Modi was walking. https://t.co/e2pr06YSRG

— Rashid Eqbal (@RsdEqb) December 23, 2015