MEA Denies Clearance to Bhagwant Mann’s Foreign Investment Tour
AAP claims Punjab CM’s foreign outreach blocked ahead of Investors’ Summit
- Centre refuses clearance for Mann, Sanjeev Arora’s UK–Israel visit
- AAP says no reason cited by MEA for denial
- Tour aimed at attracting foreign investments
- Party recalls earlier Paris visit clearance denial
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Jan: The Union government has denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and state Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora for their proposed visit to the United Kingdom and Israel in February to attract investments, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state said on Wednesday.
Punjab AAP General Secretary and party Media Incharge Baltej Pannu said the delegation, which was also to include senior state government officials, was awaiting political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs, which has now been refused without citing any reason.
“Chief Minister Mann and Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora were scheduled to travel to the UK and Israel in February. The exact dates were to be finalised after receiving political clearance. However, the Centre has denied permission,” Pannu said.
Mann, who holds a diplomatic passport as Chief Minister, was to undertake a week-long visit aimed at engaging potential investors and promoting Punjab ahead of the 6th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit scheduled to be held in Mohali from March 13 to 15, 2026.
In December, Mann had led a similar outreach delegation as part of the state government’s preparations for the upcoming summit.
AAP leaders also recalled that in August 2024, the Centre had denied political clearance to Mann for a visit to Paris, where he was scheduled to support the Indian hockey team during the Olympic Games.
The party has alleged that repeated denial of clearances is hampering Punjab’s efforts to attract international investments and build global economic partnerships.
