'Why was the clearance denied': Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge questions Centre after MEA grants him clearance for US visit

.

Karnataka Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge questioned the Centre after the MEA granted him clearance which was earlier denied. He was scheduled for an official visit to the US from June 14 to 27.

Kharge, in a post on X, said that he had sought permission on 15 May to travel to the US to represent the Government of Karnataka at two major global forums and for over 25 official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions for collaborations and pitch for investments.

He said that he did a questioned the basis of the denial on June 19 and after the matter was highlighted by by the media, he was given the clearance on the same day.

"On 19 June, I addressed a press conference, laying out the full chronology, questioning the basis of the denial and raising concerns about possible political interference. The matter was widely reported in the media. By the evening of the same day, the MEA revoked its earlier denial and issued a No Objection clearance dated 19 June," he posted on X.

"The timing raises serious questions: Why was the clearance denied in the first place?, Was the previous order revoked to avoid accountability after the matter became public, What is the point of granting clearance after the key events are either over or nearing completion?,  Will the MEA now avoid explaining the original decision by pointing to the belated approval?," he added.

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.

I had sought permission on 15 May to travel between 14–27 June to represent the Government of Karnataka at two… — Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) June 21, 2025

Earlier, on Friday he wrote to the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar seeking clarification over not getting clearance for the visit to the United States.

Sharing a copy of the letter on X, Priyank Kharge stated that the visit aimed to strengthen collaborations, attract investments, and create employment in the state.

"I have written to the Minister of External Affairs, Sri. Jaishankar, seeking clarity on why political clearance for my official visit to the United States was denied. I do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of Karnataka, to whom I am duty-bound. The visit was aimed at strengthening collaborations, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities for the state," he said.