India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pointed to New Delhi’s national policy on relations with Pakistan on Friday when asked about an invitation extended to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to attend the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore as chief guest.

The ministry made clear that political clearances for foreign visits are assessed in accordance with the country’s overarching foreign policy framework.

"When it comes to relations with foreign countries, we have a national policy and expect everybody to abide by it," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters during a weekly media briefing.

Jaiswal indicated that Mann’s proposed visit would be examined within that framework, noting that requests for political clearance by dignitaries travelling abroad are evaluated and processed in line with the government's overall policy.

Under Government of India rules, chief ministers, state ministers and state officials must obtain prior political clearance from the MEA before undertaking any official or private visit abroad.

Mann, who was invited to the three-day cultural conclave scheduled to run from Nov. 27 to 29, said earlier in the day that his office was completing the required paperwork to formally seek central clearance.