British survivalist and television host Bear Grylls on Tuesday gave a special social media shoutout to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing him alongside former US President Barack Obama and Prince William
as the world’s most powerful leaders. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Grylls shared photos of his encounters with them and wrote, “I’ve met some of the most powerful leaders in the world. The best ones were never the loudest”.
I've met some of the most powerful leaders in the world. The best ones were never the loudest. pic.twitter.com/fwufgdTUHs
— Bear Grylls OBE (@BearGrylls) July 13, 2026
This acknowledgement comes seven years after PM Modi teamed up with Grylls in 2019 to shoot a special episode of Man vs Wild at the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
7 years after the famous episode on his show with PM Modi
During the record-breaking 2019 television event broadcast globally on the Discovery Channel, the duo navigated through the rain, built a makeshift raft out of reeds, and discussed environmental preservation.
PM Modi famously remarked during the trek that his time spent in the Himalayas during his youth left a lasting impact on his life, teaching him to live in complete harmony with nature. Grylls has frequently praised the Prime Minister since then, previously describing him as a “great sport” and a “remarkable world leader”.
What better than the lush green jungles of India, in the midst of Mother Nature to throw light on environmental conservation and climate change..Do join at 9 PM tonight! https://t.co/RdndTgUtCF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 12, 2019
The Prime Minister had used the platform to emphasise several environmental and personal themes. Modi stated that humans should not view nature as an adversary. He remarked that if we cooperate with nature, nature co-operates with us.
When Bear Grylls fashioned a makeshift spear for protection against tigers in the Jim Corbett National Park, Modi refused to use it for harm, stating, “My upbringing does not allow me to take a life. However, I will hold on to it since you insist!”
He tied the environment back to his cleanliness initiatives, adding that personal hygiene is deeply ingrained in Indian culture, but the country must collectively build a habit of “social hygiene”.
After viewers on X questioned how Grylls understood Modi’s Hindi, the PM later clarified on his Mann Ki Baat radio show that a real-time translation earpiece technology was used seamlessly during filming.
