Narendra Modi’s First TV Interview as Prime Minister Sets Twitter Ablaze

In a freewheeling chat, Modi touched upon his two years as prime minister discussing foreign policy matters, economic growth, domestic political controversies, and his US trip.

 An Inspiring and excellent interview by our PM @narendramodi ji.

​This was Modi's first interview for an Indian news channel since he took power in May 2014. Here's a collection of pointedly opinionated tweets of Modi's conversation.

​Modi spoke to Arnab Goswami of Times Now, a channel which has often been accused of being too close to the administration over the past few months. Modi talked about his relations with Pakistan:

​"India has always wanted friendly ties with its neighbors, there can be no debate around it. We want to live in harmony and peace. And I have said it repeatedly, that India has to fight poverty, Pakistan too has to fight poverty, why don't we come together to fight poverty?"

​"[Secondly], those who have to work from the table, will work from the table and those who have to work at the border, will work at border with full strength. Each one will fulfil the responsibility entrusted to them. And our jawans are fulfilling their responsibilities. It's true that pressure on terrorists has increased, their schemes are proving unsuccessful."

​Modi, an acerbic leader who is highly critical of the news media, has been extremely reluctant during the last decade to speak to journalists except during election campaigns. The Indian prime minister, who was the chief minister of the state of Gujarat, never misses an opportunity to take a dig at the news media in India which is sometimes critical of him of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

​However, several miffed journalists and Modi-critics noted that Goswami avoided discussing key issues which could have put the Indian premier on the spot. Instead, some have accused the journalist of making it easy for Modi to get away without answering a number of tough and necessary questions.

​And, as ever, Indian social media was divided on its verdict on the interview keeping the hashtag #PMSpeaksToArnab trending.