Revanth Reddy Denied US Visit as Centre Cites Political Clearance

Reddy, who is currently in London, had planned to travel to the US and return to Hyderabad on August 30. However, the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission for the US visit, citing that “clearance from political angle is denied,” according to a CMO release.

“The official TelanganaRising delegation led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has been forced to cancel their visit to the United States of America (USA) after the Ministry of External Affairs has denied permission, saying ...clearence from political angle is denied,” the release said.

Reddy will now return from London to Hyderabad on August 23 instead of travelling to Boston in the US, the CMO said.

According to the state government, permission had been sought from the Centre for the Chief Minister’s visits to both the UK and USA in accordance with policy and protocol. While the UK visit was approved, permission for the US trip was denied.

The CMO said the Centre informed the state government about its decision only after the official delegation had already reached the UK.

Reddy expressed shock over what he described as the “political denial” of a visit intended to advance the state government’s TelanganaRising vision, strengthen education initiatives and contribute to “Viksit Bharat”. He decided to comply with the Central government’s decision and return to India from London rather than proceed to Boston.

The Chief Minister has, however, instructed officials to continue with the planned US visit and conclude all MoUs and partnership agreements.

“The only purpose of the visit was, as part of the New Education Policy of the Centre, bring the world's best institutions to India, to Telangana, to Hyderabad. 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,” Reddy said.

“I have always believed we should all think beyond politics and elections when it comes to nation building and the future of the youth,” he said.

Reddy will continue his scheduled UK programme, including visits and interactions with Oxford, Cambridge, London School of Economics, London Business School and University of London, among others, the release said.

The Chief Minister also reiterated his resolve to make Hyderabad a global knowledge hub. He said the establishment of Osmania University, Hyderabad Central University and other universities had helped make Hyderabad a hub for some of the best human resources.

Reddy cited Hyderabad Public School as an example of how a single school could help the state and the country lead globally, noting that it had produced some of the greatest technology leaders. CEOs of top companies, including Satya Nadella, are alumni of Hyderabad Public School.

He also said the establishment of IIT, ISB, IIIT and Nalsar had helped Hyderabad attract top corporations and their GCCs. The state government, he said, would work to make the city home to the world’s greatest education and skills institutions to support its 21st-century journey.

During his UK visit, Reddy will also meet top sports institutions and skilling leadership and seek to formalise partnerships with Telangana, the release said.

The Chief Minister said his resolve and endeavour was to make Hyderabad one of the top global cities, “where any common Indian can get an education and certificates from Harvard and Oxford, or an MIT and LBS or LSE”.

“While most leaders want to send their children abroad, I want to bring the world's best to India,” Reddy added.

The cancellation of the US visit means the Chief Minister will return to Hyderabad on August 23, while officials will proceed with the planned US engagements and efforts to conclude the proposed MoUs and partnership agreements.