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In a significant development, Karnataka Minister for Rural Development, IT, and Biotechnology, Priyank Kharge revealed on Saturday, June 21, that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had reversed its earlier decision and granted him political clearance for an official visit to the United States — but only after most of the scheduled events had ended.
“So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States,” Priyank said.
Priyank had originally sought political clearance on May 15 for travel between June 14 and 27. The visit was planned around two major global events, the BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference in San Francisco, as well as over 25 official meetings with leading global companies, universities, and institutions.
According to Priyank, the application for his delegation, including accompanying officers, was rejected on June 4. A subsequent application for an officers-only delegation, without the minister, was approved on June 11. Another application for the KEONICS Chairman was filed on June 12 and cleared on June 14.
His own application, however, was denied without any official explanation.
“36 days after my original application, 15 days after the official denial and 5 days after my scheduled departure, they ‘revoke’ their previous decision,” Priyank said, questioning the timing of the approval.
He asked why the clearance was denied in the first place and whether the reversal was made only to avoid accountability after the issue became public. He also questioned the utility of such a clearance after key events had passed.
Priyank criticised what he described as a mismatch between the Union’s slogans and actual support for states like Karnataka, which he said are doing the groundwork to realise national aspirations. “While the Union gives us slogans like ‘Make in India,’ ‘Digital India’, ‘National Quantum Mission’ and ‘India AI Mission,’ the real work to realise these aspirations is happening here in Karnataka,” he said. He added, “They coin the vision, but when we do the work to bring investments, create jobs and position India as a global leader—they block us.”
In a letter dated June 19 addressed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Priyank sought a formal explanation for the denial of political clearance. He said that Karnataka’s leadership in IT, biotechnology, aerospace, and defence production meant that participation in such global forums aligned directly with national priorities.
“Given Karnataka’s unique leadership, the absence of ministerial-level representation during an official visit of such significance is a lost opportunity,” he wrote. He urged the MEA to adopt a more transparent and consultative approach for future official engagements.