Indian Punjab CM Keen to Visit Lahore, Modi Government’s Political Clearance Becomes Major Hurdle

India: Despite strained relations between India and Pakistan, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is keen to visit Lahore to attend the Fourth International World Punjabi Conference. However, his proposed visit appears to have run into a major hurdle, with the Modi government’s political clearance emerging as a key obstacle.

Mann has been invited as the chief guest at the three-day cultural conference scheduled to be held in Lahore from November 27 to 29. Speaking on Friday, he said his office was preparing the necessary documents and that he would wait for the Centre’s response before proceeding further.

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded cautiously but firmly to the proposed visit, indicating that the matter would be considered in line with New Delhi’s broader policy towards Pakistan.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during his weekly briefing, said India had a national policy governing relations with foreign countries and everyone was expected to adhere to it. He added that requests for political clearance were examined in accordance with the government’s overall policy framework.

Referring to the Pahalgam terror attack, Jaiswal said India’s position on Pakistan should be clear to everyone, adding that there should be no ambiguity about where New Delhi stood on the issue.

The proposed visit has drawn attention as Mann seeks to participate in an event celebrating Punjabi language, culture and shared heritage, while the Indian central government continues to maintain a tough position towards Pakistan.

Mann had earlier mentioned the invitation in the Punjab Assembly and expressed his desire to attend the conference, while acknowledging that permission from the central government was mandatory for travelling to Pakistan.

The crucial question now is whether the Modi government will allow the elected Chief Minister of Punjab to cross the border and participate in a cultural event in Lahore, or whether prevailing political tensions between the two countries will overshadow cultural and people-to-people ties.