The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified India's stance regarding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's proposed travel to Pakistan, underscoring that diplomatic engagements with foreign countries are governed strictly by a single national policy. Addressing queries surrounding the potential visit, the central government reiterated that all public dignitaries and constitutional authority holders are expected to adhere to established foreign policy guidelines when planning visits abroad.
National Policy and Protocol for Overseas Visits
During a media briefing on 13 November, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the growing debate around the Chief Minister's proposed trip to Lahore. Jaiswal highlighted that India maintains a coherent, uniform national policy when managing foreign relations. He explained that whenever foreign travel requests and political clearance applications from dignitaries reach the Ministry of External Affairs, they undergo evaluation based on the country's overall foreign policy goals and security frameworks before any decision is processed.
Under protocol rules governing constitutional authorities in India, chief ministers, state ministers, and high-ranking officials require mandatory political clearance from the central government prior to undertaking foreign trips. The ministry reviews these requests by evaluating international relations, diplomatic implications, and national security considerations.
Invitation to Lahore and the Kartarpur Corridor
The discussion around Bhagwant Mann's visit gained momentum on 23 October after the Punjab Chief Minister announced that he had been invited as the chief guest for the upcoming World Punjabi Conference. The conference is scheduled to take place in Lahore on 27 November. While making the announcement, Mann himself had raised doubts about whether the central government would grant him permission to cross the border for the event.
Along with the invitation to Lahore, Bhagwant Mann had also expressed a broader desire regarding religious tourism and holy sites across the border. He had stated that if the Kartarpur Corridor opens completely, he would like all members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly to undertake a joint visit to the sacred shrine of Kartarpur Sahib located in Pakistan.
Focus on Security and the Pahalgam Terror Attack
Emphasizing the security dimension of India's relations with its neighbor, the foreign ministry spokesperson explicitly cited past security incidents to explain the government's approach. Randhir Jaiswal stated that India's position towards Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack should be obvious to everyone. The reference served as a reminder that foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning Pakistan, remain heavily influenced by considerations of national security and cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan's Statement on Visa Issuance
The Ministry of External Affairs' official response came in the backdrop of statements originating from Islamabad. On 7 November, reports highlighted comments made on 6 November by Sajjad Haider Khan, the spokesperson for Pakistan's Foreign Office. Speaking during a weekly press briefing, Khan mentioned that if Bhagwant Mann wished to visit Pakistan, the government there would consider issuing a visa for his travel. At the same time, the Pakistani official had noted that whether the Indian government permits the Chief Minister to travel remains a completely separate matter for New Delhi to decide.
