Overview
- The denial covers Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, who planned a February investor-focused tour to the UK and Israel.
- A proposed 25-member delegation included Chief Secretary K A P Sinha, Principal Secretary Ravi Bhagat, and officials from the industries and investment departments.
- Political clearance from the external affairs ministry is required for senior leaders’ foreign travel, and Mann holds a diplomatic passport as chief minister.
- An MEA spokesperson declined to explain the decision, saying “a lot of calculation goes into allowing or denying,” while government sources said the chief minister has no option but to cancel.
- Reports note earlier refusals of Mann’s travel, including an August 2024 Paris visit, after he conducted investor outreach in Japan and South Korea in December ahead of the March summit.