NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met some of India's top gamers on Thursday. He discussed the future as well as the challenges faced by the e-gaming industry. 

These gamers included Naman 'Mortal' Mathur, Animesh 'Thug' Agarwal, Mithilesh 'MythPat' Patankar, Payal 'Payal' Dhare, Ganesh 'SkRossi' Gangadhar, Tirth 'gcttirth' Mehta, and Anshu 'GamerFleet' Bisht.

PM Modi discussed the differences between gaming and gambling with the gamers. He also asked them to share the problems they face via an e-mail to his office. PM also tried his hands at gaming.

"To regulate would not be ideal because it is the nature of government to intervene, that is its fundamental nature. Either impose restrictions under the law or try to understand and mould it basis our country's needs. Bring it under an organised, legal structure and uplift the reputation," PM Modi said on being asked by the gamers if there can be a regulatory body for gaming.

"Once that is achieved, it will be hard for anyone to bring it down. My endeavour is to uplift the nation to a level that by 2047, the middle class does not require unnecessary government intervention. Otherwise, we will remain trapped in the cycle of paperwork, documents and legal systems. It is the poor who need the government the most in difficult times," PM Modi added.

PM Modi also joked about Animesh Agarwal's gaming name. "There's an issue. Now when people will think of a thug then they will remember you and when they will see you they will think he is a good man so how can we call him thug," he said. 

Agarwal replied that he has earned a great name for himself in the gaming business, thus people regard him as a respectable 'Thug'.

Agarwal and Patankar also took to Instagram to write, "We recently had an insightful discussion with the Prime Minister about the esports industry. His vision is set to revolutionise gaming in India." The gamers said that they didn't notice the age gap upon meeting PM Modi.