india

Updated: Jun 02, 2017 11:13 IST

American journalist Megyn Kelly is facing the wrath of Indian social media users for a question she posed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: ‘Are you on Twitter?’

Kelly launched her new show for NBC news with an exclusive interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia.

A teaser video posted early on Friday by NBC News shows Kelly greeting the two world leaders at the Konstantin Palace. Modi tells her that he saw a picture she had posted on Twitter of her posing with an umbrella in St Petersburg.

EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDO — NBC News (@NBCNews) June 1, 2017

“I saw your tweet..with the umbrella,” says Modi, to which she replied, ‘Are you on Twitter?’

What followed was a massive backlash against reporter with tweets criticising her for ‘not doing her homework’ and for perpetuating the stereotype of a ‘clueless American’.

Sheesh. @megynkelly asks @narendramodi WHO HAS 30 MILLION FOLLOWERS if he's on Twitter. What does it take to get India on the radar screen? https://t.co/ggw3p1YzlV — Alyssa Ayres (@AyresAlyssa) June 2, 2017

Modi:"I saw your tweet..with the umbrella" @megynkelly to 3rd most followed world leader on Twitter:Are you on Twitter? 😐#CluelessAmerican https://t.co/uRa3HQl8a5 — Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) June 1, 2017

Modi did his homework and referred to a recent tweet by @megynkelly. She asks him, "Are you on twitter ?"



2.3M vs 30M+ followers. 😀 https://t.co/hSjEKJF7pa — Hetal Rach (@heytal) June 2, 2017

Hey @megynkelly , Modi is PM of the largest democracy. So wld suggest do some googling b4 meeting him. Ofcourse he is on Twitter! Duh. https://t.co/iYJPYX8Jl5 — Pranay Tiwari (@pranayom) June 2, 2017

Kelly was also at the receiving end of much vitriol online for her choice of clothing during the interview. It was only two days ago that actor Priyanka Chopra was accused of dressing inappropriately before the Prime Minister, after she posted a picture of their meeting in Berlin.

.@megynkelly Luvs to dress Disco Style for Serious Intervws, then Blame Ailes for sex Harrasmt! SAD! A LOSER! Won't Watch! #boycottMegyn — MarHopp (@HoppMar) June 2, 2017

What an inappropriate dress; so unprofessional and embarrassing for America! — Donna Koch (@KochDonna) June 1, 2017

(With agency inputs)