Centre says Revanth Reddy’s US programme was ‘not appropriate’, denies clearance

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s planned US visit has hit a roadblock, with the Centre refusing to grant political clearance for the trip, saying the proposed programme was not appropriate for the office he holds.

The cancellation came while Reddy was in London on an official visit. He was scheduled to travel to the US after wrapping up his UK engagements on August 23 and return to Hyderabad on August 30.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the denial on Friday, saying it assesses foreign travel plans of chief ministers and other dignitaries before granting political clearance.

"The programme proposed in such cases should be appropriate to the office held and the purpose of the visit. In this particular case, that was not so in respect of the US," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"Therefore, clearance has not been given. Incidentally, his visit to the UK has been cleared," he added.

Reddy’s proposed US itinerary was largely centred on education and institutional partnerships. It included visits to Harvard University, MIT and the North-Eastern campus, besides a meeting with a team from Virginia Tech University in Boston.

The chief minister was also scheduled to attend a 'Meet and Greet' with members of the Indian Overseas Congress (USA) in New York on August 26.

Reddy’s office said the US leg of the tour had to be cancelled after the MEA declined permission. He is now expected to return to Hyderabad on August 30.

Reacting to the decision, Reddy said the proposed visit should not be viewed through a political lens and argued that its focus was on education and opportunities for young people.

"I have always believed we should all think beyond politics and elections when it comes to nation building and the future of the youth," he said.

He said the trip was planned to explore partnerships with leading global institutions and bring international educational opportunities to Telangana.

"The only purpose of the visit was to, as part of the New Education Policy of the Centre, bring the world’s best institutions to India, to Telangana, to Hyderabad. They would have been an answer to our youth’s aspirations to get education, skills, and training from the best Ivy Leagues and top global institutions," Reddy said.

Even though he will not be travelling to the US, Reddy has asked state officials to continue talks with the institutions on his itinerary and complete the proposed MoUs and partnership agreements, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.

The MEA's decision is not without precedent. Political clearance for foreign travel has previously been denied to chief ministers, including former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during their respective tenures.