Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has allowed the Punjab government’s petition challenging the Centre’s refusal to grant political clearance for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proposed visit to France. The visit was planned to promote Punjab’s agricultural and food-processing products at an international food trade exhibition in Paris.
Mann was scheduled to lead an official delegation to France from October 15 to 21, 2026, to attend SIAL Paris 2026, an international food exhibition running from October 17 to 21. The delegation was also expected to include Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary, Ravi Bhagat.
The Punjab government approached the High Court after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied political clearance for the proposed trip. The state challenged the decision, arguing that the application had been rejected without reasons despite the completion of the required administrative formalities.
Why Did Punjab Challenge The Centre’s Decision?
In its petition, the Punjab government argued that the MEA had marked its application as “Denied” on the online political-clearance portal without explaining the decision or giving the state an opportunity to present its case.
The state maintained that it had initiated the clearance process well in advance. According to its submissions, the Department of Cooperation had written to the MEA on September 3 and September 8, while the online application was submitted on September 9.
Punjab also said the necessary administrative approval and cadre clearance had been obtained and that the Indian mission in France had been consulted.
The petition described the refusal as arbitrary and argued that it interfered with the state government’s executive functions. It sought the quashing of the decision and directions enabling the proposed delegation to undertake the visit.
These were the state government’s arguments in its legal challenge.
What Was The Purpose Of Bhagwant Mann’s France Visit?
The proposed trip was linked to Punjab’s participation in SIAL Paris 2026, a major international food trade exhibition. The state intended to use the event to showcase its agricultural and food-processing products and explore opportunities to expand exports.
The Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited, known as Markfed, had been allotted a stall in the India Pavilion organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The state government said the visit was intended to help connect Punjab’s producers and businesses with international buyers, importers, investors and trade associations.
The planned programme also included business meetings and engagements aimed at promoting Punjab’s products in overseas markets. According to the state’s petition, Markfed was to bear the entire expenditure for the proposed visit.
What Was The Centre’s Position On Political Clearance?
The dispute arose after the MEA refused clearance for the chief minister-led delegation. The Punjab government challenged the decision on the grounds that it had not been given reasons for the rejection.
Earlier reports on the case said the High Court had sought the Centre’s response to the petition. The latest development, as provided in the update, is that the court has allowed the state government’s plea after hearing both sides.
The precise operative directions and the court’s reasoning should be read from the latest order before drawing conclusions about whether political clearance has now been granted or what further steps the Centre must take.
The case has brought renewed attention to the process governing political clearance for visits abroad by elected state leaders and the limits of the Centre’s authority in relation to official state delegations.
