Centre denies clearance for Telangana CM's US visit, sparking political row

The Indian government's refusal to grant political clearance for Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's planned visit to the United States has triggered a political confrontation between the Congress-led state government and the BJP-led Centre. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that it assesses visits by chief ministers and other dignitaries, and that in this case, "the programme proposed... was not appropriate" for the office held and the purpose of the visit. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal added that Reddy's UK visit had been cleared. Reddy, who was in London as part of a 10-day UK-US tour, had planned to travel to the US after concluding his UK engagements on August 23, but will now return to Hyderabad.

IOC USA expresses 'deep disappointment'

The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) USA Telangana Chapter issued a statement on Saturday expressing "deep disappointment and concern" over the denial. The chapter said the "highly anticipated" US tour was to include a major public reception in New York and high-level engagements with American academic institutions, with the principal objective of advancing "Telangana's ambition to make Hyderabad a global centre for education, innovation, skills, and research." Responding to the MEA decision, Reddy said the only purpose of his visit was to bring "the world's best institutions" to India, Telangana, and Hyderabad, as part of the Centre's New Education Policy. He added, "They would have been an answer to our youth's aspirations to get education, skills, and training from the best Ivy Leagues and top global institutions."

IOC USA Vice-Chairman George Abraham questioned the rationale, pointing out that the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had been permitted to travel to the US and Canada for investment roadshows. The IOC statement condemned what it called "a troubling and unmistakable double standard" and said it "strongly condemns political or administrative mechanisms" that impede such initiatives. Thousands of diaspora members had registered to welcome Reddy, according to IOC officials.

Reddy alleges political bias, accuses PM of favouring Gujarat

At a press conference in Hyderabad on Monday after returning from London, Reddy alleged that the denial was politically motivated and an "insult to four crore people of Telangana." He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of acting as "an ambassador of Gujarat" rather than the Prime Minister of India, and claimed the Centre was "obstructing development of Telangana so that Gujarat state develops." He contrasted his treatment with that of Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, who was allowed to visit the US and Canada from August 17 to 24 to promote the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2027. Reddy also cited the Regional Ring Road and Metro Rail projects as evidence of the Centre's reluctance to support Telangana's development.

Reddy said he had submitted complete details of his itinerary to the MEA and denied reports that he had planned meetings with US Vice President JD Vance and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani without informing the ministry. "Will they meet me as soon as I land? Are they our municipal councillors?" he asked. He said the entire schedule was shared, and that any such meetings would have required prior appointment and clearance from the Indian High Commission. He also questioned why the UK visit was cleared when the purpose was the same, and compared his situation to PM Modi's 2015 visit to Pakistan, asking whom Modi took permission from.

Government sources cite planned meetings with Vance and Mamdani

While the official CMO itinerary made no mention of meetings with Vance or Mamdani, government sources in New Delhi told The Indian Express and The Times of India that the programme shared with the MEA had included planned meetings with both leaders, as well as with one of US President Donald Trump's sons. The sources said the MEA assesses the "level" of meetings and the "purpose" of the visit; a meeting with a New York City Mayor was seen as below the CM's level, and a meeting with the Vice President did not fit the stated investment promotion purpose. These were therefore considered "political meetings" and inappropriate for a chief minister on an official visit.

BJP defends denial, questions Reddy's motives

Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao said the MEA had "rightly denied" clearance, alleging that Reddy planned to meet "anti-India forces." He questioned why Reddy wanted to meet New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he described as a "rabid anti-India spokesperson" and an "ideological guru" of Rahul Gandhi. Rao alleged that Mamdani had participated in a Pakistan Day celebration in New York, had been prominent in a 2020 Times Square protest against the Ram Mandir bhoomi puja, and had opposed PM Modi's 2023 US visit. He also cited Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who had said, "When Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan's PR team takes the day off."

Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said the denial was a "technical procedure," not political, and noted that he himself had been denied clearance in the past. BJP MP Arvind Dharmapuri also alleged that Mamdani had skipped the India Day Parade and attended a Pakistan Day event, and had written a letter to Umar Khalid.

Congress and allies rally behind CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka called the denial "unfortunate" and "political," saying the CM's visit was aimed at bringing prestigious educational institutions to Telangana. BC welfare minister Ponnam Prabhakar accused the Centre of an "authoritarian attitude" and urged it to "rise above political considerations" for Telangana's development. BRS MLC Dr Dasoju Sravan also questioned the denial and demanded an explanation.

Delegation to proceed with US engagements

Despite the denial, Reddy instructed his delegation to proceed to the US and pursue memorandums of understanding with Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, and Virginia Tech. The delegation will also attend an IOC "Meet and Greet" in New York. Reddy, meanwhile, addressed the Telugu diaspora in London on Sunday, inviting them to champion "Telangana Rising." He also secured preliminary academic collaboration agreements with the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude for the support and said he would return to Hyderabad early Monday instead of proceeding to Boston. He also thanked AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders for their support.

The political fallout is likely to continue, with Reddy saying he would raise the issue in Parliament and the IOC calling for an end to political rivalry. The Telangana Global Summit 2026 is scheduled for December 7-9 under the "Invest Telangana" banner.