New Delhi

On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly criticized Kerala’s move to appoint a senior IAS officer, K. Vasuki, as a ‘Foreign Secretary’ for external cooperation. The MEA highlighted that according to the Indian Constitution, foreign affairs fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union government and are not a matter for state governments.

ME spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that the Constitution, under the Seventh Schedule, Union List I, reserves foreign affairs solely for the central government. He stated, Foreign affairs are not a concurrent or state subject, so state governments should avoid interfering in these matters.

The Kerala government’s decision, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has faced widespread criticism. BJP’s Kerala unit chief K. Surendran condemned the appointment, calling it an overreach and a violation of constitutional boundaries. Surendran warned that this move could set a troubling precedent, suggesting that it might lead to further demands for a separate consulate or Foreign Affairs Minister in Kerala.

Surendran urged Chief Minister Vijayan to revoke the appointment, arguing that it undermines national interests and is inconsistent with the constitutional framework.