Kerala Minister’s Kuwait Trip Denied: Diplomatic Row Erupts

The Centre’s decision to deny a visa to Kerala Minister M.B. Rajesh for his scheduled visit to Kuwait has sparked a political storm, with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre of political vendetta.

Rajesh, the Minister for Local Self-Governments, was scheduled to lead a delegation to Kuwait to strengthen bilateral ties and explore opportunities for economic cooperation. However, his visa application was reportedly rejected by the Kuwaiti authorities on grounds of “security concerns”, prompting allegations of interference by the Indian government.

The LDF has accused the BJP of using its diplomatic influence to sabotage the Kerala government’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Gulf nation. They claim that the rejection was politically motivated and aimed at discrediting the Kerala government.

Meanwhile, the BJP has denied any involvement in the matter, stating that it is purely a diplomatic issue between India and Kuwait. The party has also emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations with the Gulf countries.

The controversy has highlighted the sensitive nature of India’s relationship with the Gulf nations, which are home to a large number of Indian diaspora. The incident has also raised concerns about the potential impact on the economic ties between Kerala and Kuwait, which includes significant investments in infrastructure and other sectors.

The incident has triggered a political slugfest between the LDF and the BJP, with both parties accusing each other of playing politics over a sensitive issue. The row is likely to continue, potentially affecting India’s diplomatic relations with Kuwait and raising concerns about the future of bilateral cooperation.