Why Did Centre Block Punjab Minister’s US Visit..

Amritsar : The Indian government has denied permission for a Punjab minister’s planned visit to the United States, creating political controversy in the state. The minister, who was set to travel to the US for a deal related to cattle semen procurement, did not receive clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The decision has raised questions about the central government’s control over state officials’ foreign visits and the reasons behind the denial.

According to reports, the Punjab minister had scheduled meetings with American agricultural and veterinary experts to finalize an agreement on high-quality cattle semen imports, aimed at improving dairy production in the state. However, the MEA reportedly withheld approval, effectively canceling the trip. While the central government has not provided an official reason for the denial, sources suggest it could be due to procedural delays or political differences between the Punjab government and the Centre.

This move has sparked strong reactions from Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which sees it as an attempt to obstruct state development projects. Senior AAP leaders have criticized the Centre, arguing that the decision is politically motivated and harms Punjab’s agricultural sector. The opposition, on the other hand, claims that the trip was unnecessary and that the state should focus on improving existing agricultural policies rather than relying on foreign collaborations.

Experts believe this incident highlights the ongoing tensions between state governments and the central government regarding foreign visits. While the MEA holds the authority to approve such travel, critics argue that states should have more autonomy in handling international agreements related to their development. Punjab’s dairy farmers, who were looking forward to the benefits of advanced cattle breeding techniques, now await further clarity on how the government will proceed with the deal.

As political debates continue, Punjab’s government may explore alternative ways to secure international agricultural partnerships. The incident also raises a broader discussion about the role of state governments in foreign collaborations and whether central approval should be mandatory for such initiatives.