Centre Denies Political Clearance for Punjab CM Mann's UK and Israel Investment Visit

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied political clearance to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, and senior officials for a planned visit to the United Kingdom and Israel in February. The trip aimed to attract foreign investment ahead of the Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit in March. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stated no reason was provided for the denial and noted this was not the first time Mann was refused clearance, citing a previous blocked visit to Paris in 2024. The MEA has not commented on the matter.