Who’s Really Silent? Modi or MMS? A Tale of Two Prime Ministers
politics has a wicked sense of irony. For one decade, you mock a leader as “silent.” The next, you’re posting glossy, carefully curated diplomatic videos — with the sound mysteriously turned off. When prime minister Narendra Modi met Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at hyderabad House, the visuals were pristine. The handshake was firm. The smiles were measured. But the audio? Absent. And that silence is sparking a conversation louder than any microphone ever could.
💥 The Irony No One Can Ignore
For years, critics labeled former prime minister Manmohan Singh as “mute,” questioning his public presence and communication style. The nickname stuck — unfairly or not. But here’s the twist: when he met global leaders, the cameras rolled with sound. Conversations were heard. Exchanges were documented. There was no need to mute the moment.
Fast forward to today, and we’re watching high-profile diplomatic meetings released without audio. It raises eyebrows. Why mute a moment meant to showcase leadership on the world stage?
🎥 Optics Over Authenticity?
Modern politics thrives on presentation. Perfect lighting. Perfect framing. Perfect timing. But when the sound is removed, the authenticity feels trimmed too. Diplomacy isn’t just about the handshake photo — it’s about the exchange, the nuance, the tone. Silence strips away context. And in politics, context is everything.
🎙 The Teleprompter Debate
Another layer to the discussion: delivery. Critics have often accused Modi of relying heavily on teleprompters and scripted speeches. Supporters argue it’s standard practice for global leaders. Fair enough. But when spontaneous interactions are muted in official releases, it fuels speculation rather than silences it. Was it just background noise? Translation issues? Or simply tight media control?
The absence of explanation invites interpretation.
🌍 Leadership Is Heard, Not Just Seen
Diplomacy is theater — yes —, but it’s also substance. Words matter. Tone matters. Presence matters. When the audio is missing, people start filling in the blanks themselves. And in the age of social media, those blanks are filled fast — and often brutally.
⚡ The Bigger Question
This isn’t just about one video or one meeting. It’s about perception. About narrative. About how leadership is packaged and presented to the public.
Because in politics, silence isn’t neutral. It speaks.
And sometimes, it speaks volumes.