Ministry of External Affairs Denies Political Clearance for Punjab Agriculture Minister Khudian’s U.S. Visit

The Ministry of External Affairs of India has denied political clearance for Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to visit the United States. Khudian was scheduled for an official trip from March 29 to April 6, but he has confirmed that he did not receive clearance for the visit. The delegation accompanying him has also been denied clearance.

This is not the first instance of a Punjab leader being denied political clearance for an official foreign visit. Previously, the Central government had withheld approval for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other ministers to travel abroad on official business. Reports also indicate that Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was once denied political clearance for a foreign visit as well.