Himachal government spent Rs 21.38 crore on foreign visits in 2023-25: CM Sukhu
In a written reply to questions raised by BJP MLAs Rakesh Jamwal and Randhir Sharma, the CM provides information about foreign tours undertaken under various government programmes and schemes, their objectives and the expenditure incurred.
The Himachal Pradesh government spent approximately Rs 21.38 crore (Rs 21,38,09,284) on foreign visits undertaken by ministers, MLAs, government officials, academicians and departmental representatives between January 2023 and July 2025. The government said in several cases, the expenditure was borne fully or partly by the central government, development agencies, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Institutional Development Plan (IDP) under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), etc.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed the Assembly on Saturday in a detailed written reply to questions raised by BJP MLAs Rakesh Jamwal and Randhir Sharma, providing information about foreign tours undertaken under various government programmes and schemes, their objectives and the expenditure incurred.
The list includes foreign visits by Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Cabinet ministers Harshwardhan Chauhan, Jagat Singh Negi, Chander Kumar and others along with MLAs and senior government officials, including Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar, besides officers from tourism, transport, horticulture, education, urban development and other departments.
The government said in several cases, the expenditure was borne fully or partly by the central government, development agencies, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Institutional Development Plan (IDP) under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), etc.
Among the major visits was Sukhu’s tour to Dubai from December 13 to 16, 2023, aimed at attracting investment in the tourism sector. The expenditure reported for the visit was Rs 11.73 lakh.
Agnihotri led a delegation to Innsbruck, Austria, to attend the INTERALPIN ropeway technology exhibition and meet prospective investors for ropeway projects in Himachal. The delegation also visited ropeway systems in Switzerland, including the Eiger Express at Jungfrau and the Stanserhorn Ropeway Funicular. The expenditure on the visit was Rs 37.72 lakh. The government said the visit helped secure a promoter for the Mata Chintpurni Passenger Ropeway and facilitated selection of modern, internationally compliant ropeway equipment.
The education sector accounted for another major component. Under the Samagra Shiksha STAR Project, foreign educational visits were approved for teachers and meritorious students. As many as 353 teachers were sent to Singapore and 50 students to Singapore and Cambodia, along with Education Minister Rohit Thakur, MLAs and officials. The reported expenditure was Rs 11.91 crore, to expose participants to education policies and higher international standards.
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The government also cited foreign training undertaken under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), Institutional Development Programme (IDP) of ICAR, including a visit to Australia from March 14 to 31, 2023, for international training involving agricultural and horticultural crops, processing facilities and climate-related research. The expenditure of Rs 3.05 lakh was borne entirely under the NAHEP-IDP-ICAR programme.
The transport department also undertook a visit to Australia from January 22 to 25, 2024, to study electric bus operations, charging stations and e-ticketing systems for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation. The expenditure on air travel allowance during the visit was Rs 14,139, while the broader expenditure was borne from an ADB-funded programme.
The horticulture department sent officials and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on training and study visits to the Netherlands and Australia. A Netherlands visit from April 17 to 21, 2023, focused on plant health, clean planting material and strengthening domestic production of disease-free planting material for high-value horticultural crops. The expenditure was Rs 30.37 lakh. Another Australia visit from May 8 to 16, 2023, focused on modern nursery management, international horticultural standards, protected cultivation, new crops such as avocado, blueberry and macadamia, crop monitoring and climate-resilient horticulture. The expenditure was Rs 25.43 lakh, with the cost borne by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
A study visit to the Republic of Korea from May 11 to 17, 2025 focused on agricultural development and smart farming practices. The government said the visit covered agricultural modernisation, digital and smart farming, sustainable water management, cooperative marketing, value-chain development and rural infrastructure. The expenditure was borne by the Korea Rural Community Corporation.
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Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, along with officials and elected representatives, visited Barcelona, Spain, from November 5 to 7, 2024, under the Smart City Expo World Congress. The delegation included Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan and senior urban development officials. The visit cost Rs 38.70 lakh and was aimed at studying urban development practices and exchanging ideas on future-ready cities. Another exposure visit to South Korea and Japan from July 16 to 26, 2025, under a programme on urban development and management best practices, cost Rs 72.67 lakh. The government said the objective was to study successful systems and improve their implementation in Himachal Pradesh.
Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting.
Professional Background
Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters.
Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India.
Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh:
1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth.
2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025).
3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025)
4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025)
Legal & Agricultural Affairs
"Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned.
"Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur.
3. Governance & Environment
"Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act.
"Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters.
Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc:
crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023)
Signature Beats
Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs.
X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar
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