Thiruvananthapuram: The central government on Tuesday granted approval to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s 10-day foreign trip to the US and Cuba. The visit has been scheduled from June 8 to 18. 

With the approval from the Ministry of External Affairs, the chief minister will now partake in the Lok Kerala Sabha meeting in New York. He will also hold talks with World Bank officials. 

Earlier, the Centre had denied permission for Vijayan’s four-day UAE trip. The event has no relevance as such chief minister should participate, the Centre then maintained.  Furthermore, Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheiyan’s UAE visit was also cancelled mid-way over the delay in getting approval. 

Vijayan will be accompanied by Speaker AN Shamseer, Finance Minister KN Balagopal, Planning Board vice chairperson VK Ramachandran, Chief Secretary VP Joy and chief minister’s principal secretary KM Abraham during his US visit. Whereas Health Minister Veena George among others will accompany the chief minister during his Cuba trip.