Centre Denies Clearance for Punjab CM's Investment Mission
The Aam Aadmi Party made a significant announcement on Wednesday. The party revealed that the central government refused political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora also faced the same denial. Both leaders planned to visit the United Kingdom and Israel during February. Their mission focused on attracting foreign investment to Punjab.
A Pattern of Travel Restrictions
Baltej Pannu serves as the Punjab AAP general secretary and media incharge. He stated this was not an isolated incident. Pannu highlighted a previous refusal by the Ministry of External Affairs. In August 2024, the MEA blocked Chief Minister Mann's proposed travel to the Paris Olympic Games. Mann intended to support the Indian hockey team during their quarter-final match on August 4th. His scheduled visit was from August 3rd to 9th.
"The MEA has not specified any reason for this denial," Pannu emphasized. He explained the critical purpose of the blocked trip. The Chief Minister aimed to secure investment for the upcoming Progressive Punjab Summit in March. "It serves the overall national interest if Punjab successfully brings more foreign investment," Pannu argued.
History of Denials for Punjab Ministers
This situation follows a consistent pattern for Punjab's state ministers. The central government has repeatedly denied political clearances for international travel.
- In August 2025, Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO received a denial. He planned to attend a legislative summit in Boston, USA. The MEA cited security concerns as the reason.
- Similarly, in August 2024, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan could not travel. He was scheduled for a conference of legislative heads in Kentucky, USA.
- Earlier, in September 2022, Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora faced clearance issues. The government denied him permission for a knowledge-sharing study tour across Europe.
Contrast with Successful International Engagement
The recent denial stands in sharp contrast to a previous successful mission. In December 2025, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led a high-level delegation to Japan. This formed part of a ten-day investment outreach program. The delegation visited major cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
During this trip, Mann held strategic meetings with several prominent corporations. He engaged with leaders from Yamaha, Honda Motor, and Fujitsu. Discussions also took place with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The Chief Minister actively promoted Punjab as a prime investment destination. This successful outreach demonstrates the state's commitment to attracting foreign capital.
The repeated denial of political clearance raises important questions. It highlights ongoing tensions between the state government and the central authorities. The blocked visits directly impact Punjab's economic development plans. The state government continues to seek foreign investment to boost growth and create jobs.
