The BJP on Sunday sought to project Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “vishwa priya neta” (a leader loved globally) as it welcomed him back from a three-day US visit with drumbeats and a red carpet laid outside the Palam airport gate.

The exercise seemed aimed at taking advantage of Modi's foreign trip to hype his personal image at a time his government’s handling of Covid and treatment of minorities and the agitating farmers have attracted criticism at home and abroad.

From a makeshift stage outside the airport, party president J.P. Nadda stressed the Prime Minister’s “friendship” with US President Joe Biden, similar to claims made before about Modi’s personal ties with then Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

Earlier, Modi had walked a red carpet onto the stage where he was welcomed with a huge garland as supporters chanted “Modi, Modi....”

During the US visit, Modi had had to endure a lecture on Gandhian tolerance from Biden and one on upholding democratic principles from Vice-President Kamala Harris. But the BJP portrayed the trip as a resounding success.

When the Lord met Caesar

“Prime Minister Modi’s friendship with US President Joe Biden is not new. They share an old bond. This was reiterated by the US President too,” Nadda said.

“Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US proves that the world views India differently. He has established India as a global player.”

Supporters wait to greet Narendra Modi on his arrival at the Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi from the US on Sunday. PTI

A banner behind the stage proclaimed the Prime Minister a “vishwa priya neta” with pictures showing him meeting Biden and speaking at the United Nations General Assembly. Nadda said Modi had spoken like a “statesman” at the UNGA.

At the UNGA, while purportedly trying to answer the concerns signalled by Biden and Harris, Modi had himself appeared to be focusing on his personal image, citing his own rise from a humble background as proof of India's functioning democracy.

On Saturday, a host of Union ministers and BJP politicians had posted tweets praising Modi's UNGA address.

PTI

Party sources said the effort to hold Modi up as a world leader was based on feedback from the ground that suggested that the ordinary Indian saw the Prime Minister as having enhanced India's global standing.

Modi's return from the US coincided with his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, which the Prime Minister said had been recorded before he left India.

PTI

In the broadcast, Modi sought to suggest that the country was progressing under his leadership with the people's participation.

He repeated his now familiar catchphrases about the "can do determination" of Indians and the need to become "vocal for local". He urged people to set a record in the purchase of khadi and handloom products during the upcoming festivals to try and make India self-reliant.