PM Modi opens up on Godhra riots, US visa denial, and global trust in India on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared on his first podcast with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, where he candidly discussed significant and controversial moments from his political career, including the 2002 Godhra riots and the 2005 US visa denial. The conversation, released on Friday, highlighted PM Modi’s reflections on leadership, resilience, and India’s growing global stature.

Recounting the 2002 Godhra train tragedy, which occurred just days after he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, PM Modi described the emotional turmoil he experienced upon witnessing the aftermath of the incident. “On February 24, 2002, I became MLA for the first time, and on February 27, such an incident happened in Godhra. Reports of fire in a train started coming in, followed by reports of casualties. I rushed to Godhra despite logistical challenges. When I reached, the scenes were heart-wrenching—dead bodies and unimaginable pain. I felt everything but had to suppress my emotions to fulfill my responsibility as CM,” he said.

PM Modi also addressed the United States’ decision to deny him a visa in 2005. He recalled feeling disrespected not as an individual but as an elected representative of India. “I told the press that day that the American government had rejected my visa, but I also envisioned a future where the world would stand in line for Indian visas. Today, in 2025, we see that India is leading on the global stage,” he remarked.

The Prime Minister emphasized India’s consistency and clarity in global diplomacy, which he believes have earned the nation respect worldwide. “We don’t practice duplicity. In times of crisis, we advocate peace, whether with Russia, Ukraine, Iran, or Israel. This consistency builds trust,” he explained.

During the podcast, PM Modi also shared an anecdote about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Gujarat in 2014. President Xi expressed interest in visiting Vadnagar, Modi’s hometown, citing a historical connection through the Chinese philosopher Hiuen Tsang, who spent significant time there before returning to China.

The episode offered a rare glimpse into PM Modi’s thoughts on pivotal moments in his career, underscoring his vision for India’s role on the global stage.