Now, Kerala has its own “Foreign Secretary”

The God’s Own Country – Kerala – has done something that has not been done in India since Independence – a state government appointing its own “foreign secretary” to deal with international aspects of people of the state’s origin living across the world.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan  has appointed a senior IAS official K Vauski as the state’s “secretary in charge of matters concerning external cooperation” drawing the ire of the state BJP for “trying to establish Kerala as a separate nation.”

Yes, foreign relations or external affairs have been the sole domain of the central government since Independence, as are defence and security of the nation among others and there is only one national policy concerning such major issues. Which is why, the appointment of a senior IAS official to oversee the state’s matters relating to external cooperation is causing severe concern, as this could lead to a piquant situation of the country having two foreign policies if the state government differs with the centre and does take decisions on its own on matters concerning external relations, even if pertaining to the state government.
Kerala has a huge population of people of its origins living across the world, and sending remittences back home that forms a sizeable chunk of the state’s earnings. Other than the Gulf, Kerala dominates the world in healthcare providers with its nursing staff found in almost every major healthcare facility in the world.
Reacting to the Kerala government’s decision to appoint ‘foreign secretary’ for the state, BJP state unit chief K Sureendran said on X, formerly Twitter, “It was a blatant overreach and a violation of the union list of the Constitution. The LDF government has no mandate to do so, he said.
“This unconstitutional move sets a dangerous precedent. Is CM @pinarayivijayan trying to establish Keralam as a separate nation?” the BJP leader asked.
According to media reports, Vasuki, Secretary (labour and skills) will hold the additional charge of matters connected with external cooperation. The officer will coordinate and supervise all the matters in this regard and incidental thereto, in addition to the existing charges, an order of the state government, dated July 15, read.
Very soon, we will hear Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan asking for a separate Consulate and a Foreign Affairs minister also, the BJP leader Surendran said condemning the state government’s move.
He demanded that in the larger interests of the nation, the CM must immediately cancel this appointment.
this, very soon we will hear Vijayan asking for a separate Consulate and a Foreign Affairs Minister also,” Surendran added.