For PM Narendra Modi, English Switchover Came Naturally

Both times, the switch to English was perhaps keeping in mind that many scientists, including the top ones, are from non-Hindi speaking states.

But with regard to foreign policy, it was believed that the Modi government would keep Hindi as its medium of communication, in keeping with how other government heads, including those from China, Russia, or non-English speaking European states, do.

Modi's first speech in English, without the teleprompter, was during the BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa - summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July, when he read out his speech in English.

During his US visit, Modi delivered his UN address in Hindi. In Washington, during the bilateral interaction with President Barack Obama, an avid user of the teleprompter, and in his address to the Council on Foreign Relations, the prime minister stuck to Hindi. He gave a short speech in English at the Central Park in New York, aided by a teleprompter.

But he took to English in a big way during the Australia and Fiji visits and in Nepal for the SAARC Summit.

In Australia, Modi spoke in English with the aid of teleprompters at a cultural event hosted by the mayor of Brisbane on Nov 16. He followed it up by speaking in English the next morning during a power breakfast in Brisbane with top business leaders from Australia's Queensland state and India.

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