Elected political leaders need permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a foreign visit
New Delhi:
Even the prime minister would have nowhere to go if a decision on foreign visits by constitutional authorities is made based on the subjects under their jurisdiction, said Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister.
Mr Kejriwal’s comments came shortly after Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena rejected the AAP government’s proposal for the Prime Minister’s visit to Singapore to attend a summit on August 1.
In an official note shared on Twitter by his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Mr Kejriwal differed from Lieutenant Governor Saxena’s “advice” that he should not attend the Singapore conference, saying it was “a funny situation and would cause a practical blockade” if the decisions are made on the foreign visits of the country’s constitutional authorities on such grounds.
“I therefore humbly disagree with LG’s advice. We are continuing the visit. Kindly request political approval from the central government,” the prime minister said in the note.
According to the protocol, elected political leaders need permission from the State Department before visiting abroad.
The file was duly forwarded by the LG, whereupon the LG gave its advice, according to a statement from Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
“The prime minister has replied that in his capacity and understanding he does not agree with the advice of the LG as the invitation concerns him to present the Delhi model to leaders from around the world,” the statement said.
“The prime minister in his capacity has now approached the foreign ministry to give him political clearance on the matter,” it added. Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor Saxena rejected the Delhi government’s proposal for Mr Kejriwal’s visit to Singapore to attend a summit on August 1.
Mr Saxena advised Mr Kejriwal not to attend the World Cities Summit in Singapore next month as it is a conference of mayors and it is not appropriate for a prime minister to attend, official sources said.
Sources said that Mr. Saxena has returned the proposal regarding Mr. Kejriwal’s overseas visit, noting that the conference will deal with various aspects of urban governance, which are handled by various bodies such as the MCD, DDA and NDMC, except the city government.
The LG said the Delhi government has no exclusive domain on the issues and it would be “inappropriate” for a prime minister to attend.
“I have carefully read LG’s note. He has ‘advised’ that the Prime Minister should not attend the Singapore conference… I have carefully studied the advice of the Honorable LG and I disagree with him,” said Mr. Kejriwal in his note. .
Citing reasons why he deviates from the LG’s advice, the prime minister said, “It’s not just any mayor’s conference. It’s a conference of mayors, city leaders, knowledge experts, etc.” “Human life is not divided into the subjects mentioned in the three lists of the Constitution. If the visit of every constitutional authority in our country were decided on the basis of which subjects fall under the jurisdiction of that authority, it would be a funny situation and a practical blockage,” he stated.
“Then the prime minister would have nowhere to go because on most of his visits he also discusses subjects that are on the state list and not under his jurisdiction. Then no CM would ever be able to visit anywhere in the world,” he said. added the Delhi Chief Minister.
Mr Kejriwal said the Singapore government has chosen to invite him and it is a matter of “great pride” that the Delhi governance model, “especially” the work of his government in the education, health and energy sectors worldwide is discussed and acknowledged.
“The Singapore government has invited me to present the Delhi model to the city leaders of the whole world. It is a matter of great pride for every patriotic Indian. We should all celebrate and do our best to facilitate this visit “, he said.
