POLITICAL CLEARANCE

News: Telangana CM’s US visit was cancelled after the MEA denied political clearance.

ABOUT

  • Mandatory approval by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for foreign travel by public functionaries, including Chief Ministers, Ministers, MPs and civil servants.
  • To ensure foreign visits are consistent with India’s foreign policy, bilateral relations and diplomatic protocols.

Procedure

  • Application submitted through the e-Political Clearance System.
  • MEA’s Coordination Division examines the visit in consultation with relevant divisions.
  • After MEA clearance, approvals may involve:
  • DEA: Financial/foreign exchange clearance.
  • MHA: FCRA-related clearance where applicable.
  • Competent Authority: Final approval for Ministers/Chief Ministers.

Key Features

  • Covers a wide range of public functionaries and PSU officials.
  • MEA clearance is a prerequisite for further financial/administrative processing of official foreign visits.
  • Assessment considers nature of participation, bilateral relations and strategic sensitivity of the host country.
  • Higher Judiciary: SC/HC judges need clearance for official foreign delegations, but private foreign visits are exempt from prior executive political clearance.
  • Foreign tour proposals should generally be submitted at least 15 days before departure.
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