Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Revanth Reddy Returns Home After US Tour Clearance Row
Revanth Reddy planned to visit the United Kingdom and the United States.
He finished his meetings in London but could not continue to the United States.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not give permission for the US part of his trip.
The ministry said the planned programme was not appropriate.
Reddy said the decision was made for political reasons.
He thanked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other supporters.
Reports said he might meet J D Vance and Zohran Mamdani, but officials gave different descriptions of those plans.
Reddy said he would explain the issue after returning to Hyderabad.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy cancelled the US leg of his 10-day UK-US tour after the Ministry of External Affairs denied political clearance.
Reddy completed his scheduled meetings in London and planned to return to Hyderabad instead of travelling to Boston on August 23, 2026.
Reddy alleged that the clearance was denied for political reasons and said he would explain the matter after reaching Hyderabad.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the proposed US programme was not appropriate, while reports cited the level and purpose of planned meetings.
Reports differed over whether Reddy was set to meet US Vice President J D Vance and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- Who
- Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the Ministry of External Affairs, Congress leaders, and Telangana opposition parties including the Telangana BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samiti.
- What
- Reddy’s planned US visit was cancelled after the Centre denied political clearance.
- When
- The decision was addressed on August 23, 2026; Reddy planned to return to Hyderabad from London that day and was expected to arrive on Monday morning.
- Where
- Reddy was in London and had planned to travel to Boston and other US locations before returning to Hyderabad.
- Why
- The Ministry of External Affairs said the proposed programme was not appropriate, while Reddy and Congress leaders described the denial as politically motivated.
Reddy and Congress Position
Centre and Opposition Questions
Reason for denying clearance
Reddy and Congress Position
Reddy alleged that the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission for political reasons. Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the decision and called it contrary to the spirit of federalism.
Centre and Opposition Questions
The Ministry of External Affairs said the proposed programme was not appropriate. Government sources said the ministry considered the level of meetings and the purpose stated in the application.
Possible Mamdani meeting
Reddy and Congress Position
The Chief Minister’s Office said the meeting with Zohran Mamdani was tentative, and in another account said it was not part of the proposed itinerary. It also said no official communication had been exchanged.
Centre and Opposition Questions
Government sources said Reddy was planning to meet Mamdani, while the Telangana BJP asked him to respond to reports about the proposed meeting. The Bharat Rashtra Samiti sought explanations about the cancellation.
Further explanation
Reddy and Congress Position
Reddy said he would discuss all related issues after returning to Hyderabad, and Congress leaders said they stood by his decision.
Centre and Opposition Questions
The Telangana BJP and Bharat Rashtra Samiti called for explanations from the Centre and the state government about the cancelled trip and reported meetings.
- Original itinerary
- A planned 10-day foreign tour covering the United Kingdom and United States.
- London leg
- Reddy said he had completed all scheduled meetings and events in London.
- Cancelled travel
- He planned to fly to Hyderabad instead of continuing to Boston on August 23, 2026.
- Government decision
- The Ministry of External Affairs denied political clearance for the US visit.
- Stated ministry reason
- The ministry said the proposed US programme was not appropriate and assessed the level and purpose of the planned meetings.
- Proposed purpose
- The political-clearance application cited “Rising Telangana,” an investment-promotion programme led by the state government.
- Reported US engagements
- The planned itinerary reportedly included Harvard University, MIT, educational institutions, corporates, and possible meetings with J D Vance and Zohran Mamdani.
