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MEA Denies Clearance for Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s UKIsrael Investment Visit

The refusal leaves Punjab’s planned investor outreach before the March investors’ summit in limbo.

Overview

  • The decision covers Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, who were to lead a roughly 25-member delegation in February.
  • The proposed trip was to run about a week to 10 days to meet companies in the UK and Israel and invite them to the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit on March 13–15 in Mohali.
  • Punjab AAP says no reason was communicated for the denial, and reports note an MEA spokesperson declined to comment.
  • By protocol, political-clearance requests are routed to Indian missions, and itineraries are drawn up only after approval is granted.
  • This follows prior refusals for Mann, including a 2024 denial for a Paris visit during the Olympics, reinforcing recurring Centre–state friction over foreign travel.