While Pakistan's president was playful and witty during a Daily Show interview last year, Bolivian President Evo Morales largely played it straight for his appearance on the hit news satire on Tuesday.

Morales, who is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly this week, became the second sitting head of state interviewed by Jon Stewart on the award-winning Comedy Central program.

Bolivian President Evo Morales, left, spoke through a translator, centre, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Tuesday.
(Peter Kramer/Associated Press)

An enthusiastic crowd loudly welcomed Morales, the former leader of Bolivia's coca farmers.

The leftist Morales spoke through a translator and, at first, delivered serious answers to the host's questions.

"Your story is remarkable. How does a farmer, a poor farmer with a high school education become the first indigenous president of Bolivia? It's an amazing journey," Stewart asked.

"We all have rights, as I understand it," replied Morales, an Aymara Indian who is working to extend more power to Bolivia's indigenous majority.

"Professionals and intellectuals are not the only ones who can be presidents," he said. "Indigenous people can also be president."

"In Bolivia," Stewart deadpanned.

"In America, it's a little rigged," he added to whoops of laughter from the audience.

Morales, who also discussed his efforts at reforming Bolivia and seeking social justice, eventually cracked his serious manner at the very end of the interview segment.

"Please don't consider me part of the axis of evil," he said, drawing laughter from both Stewart and the audience.

With files from the Associated Press