The Indian government has denied political clearance for Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s planned visit to the United States, despite approving his concurrent trip to the United Kingdom, a decision that has sparked allegations of double standards and raised questions about federal oversight of state diplomacy. The Ministry of External Affairs announced Friday that Reddy’s proposed US itinerary did not meet the criteria for visits by chief ministers and other dignitaries.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that 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, he said, while noting that Reddy’s UK visit had received clearance. Reddy, currently in London, was scheduled to travel to the United States after concluding his British engagements on August 23.
The Indian Overseas Congress USA Telangana Chapter expressed deep disappointment and concern over the decision, stating that Reddy’s highly anticipated US tour was to include a major public reception in New York and high level engagements with leading American academic institutions. The primary objective was to advance Telangana’s ambition to transform Hyderabad into a global centre for education, innovation, ss and research through partnerships with some of the world’s leading universities.
Responding to the denial, Reddy emphasized that his sole purpose was to bring the world’s best institutions to India, Telangana and Hyderabad as part of the Centre’s New Education Policy. He said the partnerships would have been an answer to youth aspirations to get education, ss and training from the best Ivy League and top global institutions, underscoring the educational focus that his administration maintains justified the diplomatic visit.
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