Fadnavis backs Sharad Pawar's praise for Modi's global push
Synopsis
Sharad Pawar — opposition leader and NCP (SP) chief — publicly praised PM Modi's efforts to raise India's global stature, saying national interest must transcend party lines. Maharashtra CM Fadnavis seized on the remarks to rebuke critics of Modi's foreign visits, calling Pawar's statement 'extremely mature.' Cross-aisle praise this pointed is rare in Maharashtra's fractured political landscape.
Key Takeaways
Sharad Pawar praised PM Modi's international engagements at a public function on Tuesday, 19 May , saying national interest must override political differences.
Pawar cited former PMs Indira Gandhi , P.V.
Narasimha Rao , and Dr Manmohan Singh as leaders who similarly prioritised India's global standing.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called Pawar's remarks 'extremely mature and significant' on Wednesday, 20 May .
Fadnavis claimed India has secured agreements that will shape the country's future for the next 20 years through Modi's foreign visits.
Pawar's NCP (SP) is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, making the cross-party praise politically significant.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, 20 May welcomed NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar's remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to strengthen India's international standing, and used the occasion to hit back at opposition leaders who have criticised the Prime Minister's foreign visits.
What Sharad Pawar Said
At a public function on Tuesday evening, Pawar broke from his party's usual adversarial posture toward the ruling dispensation. 'Even though our political ideologies and positions may differ, politics should never be brought into matters concerning national interest,' he said, speaking specifically about Modi's international engagements.
Pawar went further, stating: 'Today, our country stands at a new and distinct crossroads. Our political perspectives and those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi may certainly differ, but no one can deny that he is strengthening India's image internationally. When it comes to the identity and prestige of the country, all political parties must set aside their differences.'
He also invoked the legacy of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, and Dr Manmohan Singh, noting that each had placed national interest and India's global standing at the centre of their foreign policy — and argued that Modi is working in the same tradition.
Fadnavis Calls It 'Mature and Significant'
Chief Minister Fadnavis described Pawar's remarks as 'extremely mature and significant,' coming from a veteran politician of his stature. He framed the statement as a rebuke to critics who have questioned the frequency and purpose of Modi's overseas trips.
'What Sharad Pawar has said is highly important. At a time when several people were criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning why he visits foreign countries and what happens there, India has signed crucial agreements with various nations. Our future for the next 20 years has been secured because of these pacts. This is why Sharad Pawar urged not to criticise unnecessarily. The Prime Minister is traveling abroad to work for the country. Therefore, criticising him is unjustified,' Fadnavis stated.
The Political Significance
Pawar's remarks carry considerable weight given that his NCP (SP) faction sits in the opposition camp in Maharashtra, aligned with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition against Fadnavis's ruling Mahayuti alliance. Cross-aisle praise of this nature is rare in the current polarised political climate, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been quick to amplify it.
Notably, Pawar also stressed that individuals working in public life must rise above party lines and remain mindful of their responsibility toward citizens — a broader appeal that goes beyond the immediate political context.
What This Means for Maharashtra Politics
The episode underscores the fluid lines of Maharashtra's fractured opposition. With assembly by-elections and local body polls on the horizon, any signal of softening between Pawar and the ruling alliance will be closely watched. Whether Pawar's remarks reflect a tactical repositioning or a principled stand on foreign policy is a question analysts are already debating.
Point of View
Depending on where you sit. For the BJP, they are a gift: opposition validation of Modi's foreign policy neutralises a line of attack ahead of local polls. But Pawar has done this before — offering calibrated praise that signals independence without crossing the floor. The more interesting question is whether this creates pressure within the MVA, where harder-line partners have made Modi-bashing a core plank. Fadnavis's swift amplification suggests the ruling alliance knows exactly what it has been handed.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sharad Pawar say about PM Modi?
Sharad Pawar said that despite differing political ideologies, no one can deny that Modi is strengthening India's international image, and called on all parties to set aside differences on matters of national interest. He made the remarks at a public function on Tuesday, 19 May.
Why did CM Fadnavis respond to Pawar's statement?
Fadnavis used Pawar's cross-party praise to counter opposition politicians who have questioned the purpose and frequency of PM Modi's foreign visits. He argued that India has secured agreements shaping its future for the next 20 years through those visits.
Which former Prime Ministers did Pawar invoke?
Pawar cited Indira Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, and Dr Manmohan Singh as leaders who consistently placed national interest and India's global standing at the core of their policies, drawing a parallel with Modi's approach.
What is Sharad Pawar's current political position?
Sharad Pawar leads the NCP (SP) faction, which is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition in Maharashtra — making his praise of the BJP-led Centre's foreign policy notably unusual.
What is the broader significance of Pawar's remarks for Maharashtra politics?
With local body polls approaching, any softening of lines between Pawar and the ruling Mahayuti alliance carries political weight. Analysts are watching whether the remarks signal a tactical repositioning or a one-off stand on foreign policy.
