Published Jul 25, 2024 | 8:12 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2024 | 8:12 PM
MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. (X)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, 25 July, that state governments should not intrude into matters beyond their constitutional jurisdiction, days after the Kerala government tasked a senior official for “external cooperation”.
“The Constitution of India under the 7th Schedule list 1- Union list, item 10, clearly specifies that foreign affairs and all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country, are the sole prerogative of the Union Government,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
“It is not a concurrent subject and definitely not a state subject. Our position is that state governments should not intrude into matters that are beyond their constitutional jurisdiction,” he said.
On 15 July, the Kerala government said that state Labour and Skills Department Secretary Dr K Vasuki IAS will hold the additional charge of the matters connected with the External Co-operation.
“The General Administration (Political) Department will deal the subjects related to external co-operation and will assist Dr K Vasuki IAS till alternate arrangements are made. The Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, New Delhi will support the officer in the matters of External co-operation, to liaise with the Ministry of External Affairs, Missions and Embassies etc,” the government order said.
However, the Opposition BJP in the state objected to the move and labelled the appointment as a “foreign secretary of the state.”
However Kerala Chief Secretary Venu IAS clarified in a social media post said that the move was aimed to coordinate the state’s cooperation with foreign agencies,
“Those sitting in the government are not unaware of the basic fact that foreign affairs are a central government matter,” Venu said.
“Many foreign agencies, multilateral agencies, institutions and delegations operating in the embassies of foreign countries are in constant touch with the Kerala state government as well as other state governments. Through these transactions, relationships are established to work collaboratively in the fields of commerce, industry and culture,” he added.
“When the chief minister or ministers of the state go abroad, as a result of the discussions that take place there, many representatives visit Kerala and seek new contacts. In earlier years, these were seen as the responsibility of special departments. As the number of discussions like this increased, it was seen that a much better coordination was needed. A division called External Cooperation is a system that was created some time ago for this purpose,” the Chief Secretary said.
Thiruvanathapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, however, backed the decision adding that the Kerala government cannot replace the authority of the Union government in foreign affairs.
“As you know, the Kerala government says there’s nothing unusual. They always have somebody as a focal point for this. It is true that because of the very large Kerala diaspora, a number of issues affecting the welfare of Kerala in foreign countries comes to the attention of the people’s representatives,” he told ANI.
“That doesn’t mean that the state government can even think of substituting itself for the authority of the Center. Foreign affairs in the Constitution is the responsibility only of the central government and all external relationships are mediated through the Union government. So, I would see the appointment of this young officer as a focal point kind of responsibility within the government,” he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
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