MEA Cites National Policy as Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Seeks Centre’s Clearance for Lahore Visit

November 14, 2026

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would need permission from the Centre to travel to Lahore in Pakistan for an international conference later this month.

“Any dignitary wishing to travel abroad has to adhere to the policy of the country so any request for political clearance comes under that,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during MEA’s bi-weekly media briefing.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann invited to visit Lahore to serve as the chief guest at the international World Punjabi Conference, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “When it comes to relations with foreign countries, we have a national policy and expect everybody to abide by it. As far as political clearances for dignitaries visiting abroad are concerned, an assessment is made by this Ministry, in line with its overall policy and processed accordingly. As far as our position on Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack is concerned, it should be amply clear to all as to where we stand.”

— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2026

“When it comes to relations with other countries, we have a national policy and we expect everyone to follow it,” he said.

Any request from a dignitary looking to travel overseas for political clearance is looked at by the ministry based on India’s foreign policy.

“As far as our position on Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack is concerned, it should be amply clear to all as to where we stand,” he added.

Mann had said that his office was drafting a request for permission to attend the 4th International World Punjabi Conference which will be held in Lahore between November 27-29.

“The government will have to give us political clearance,” he told reporters during a press conference.

“We’ll have to wait and see. We’ll have to get political clearance,” he said.

He also had questioned if the Centre would allow him to travel to Pakistan, given the similarities between the two Punjabs.

“Our culture is the same. Many poets from here will go there,” he had said.

Pakistan Offers to Give Visa to Bhagwant Mann

If Mann wanted to visit Pakistan then Islamabad would consider giving him a visa, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said.

Mann has also said that he wants all members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly to visit Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan once the Kartarpur Corridor opens, including members from the Opposition.

The corridor links Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab, India and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. It was set up to allow Sikh pilgrims to visit the historic shrine of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

Pilgrims from India can visit the gurdwara without needing a standard visa from Pakistan.

However, the corridor has been closed to pilgrims from India since May 7, 2025 after India carried out military strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir following the Pahalgam terror attack.

The latest comments from the MEA have highlighted the planned trip to Lahore. Mann will only be able to travel there once he has received political clearance from the Centre.