RTI Replies Raise Questions Over V.K. Pandian’s Venezuela Visit

Bhubaneswar: RTI replies from several Central government offices have raised questions over the official status of former IAS officer and BJD leader V.K. Pandian’s reported visit to Venezuela in 2026.
RTI activist Prakash Chandra Das sought information from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations to determine whether Pandian had been officially authorised or deputed for the visit.
In its July 23, 2026 response, the MEA’s South America Division said the Government of India had not authorised, nominated, deputed or assigned Pandian to travel to Venezuela. It also said details concerning any appointment, approval, deputation order, terms of reference or official correspondence related to such an assignment were not applicable.
The MEA’s UNP Division said it had “no record of the visit,” while the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York stated that it had no official record of the visit. The MHA’s Police-II Division also said the requested information was not available in its records.
Pandian had reportedly visited Venezuela in July, met President Delcy Rodríguez and discussed disaster-management measures. He had also posted about visiting earthquake-affected areas and discussing disaster mitigation.
The RTI responses have prompted Das to seek clarification over claims by BJD leaders that Pandian had travelled to Venezuela in connection with the United Nations or to share Naveen Patnaik’s disaster-management experience.
Das has sought details on who invited Pandian, the purpose and authorisation of the visit, its funding and any official link with the Indian government, the UN or another international organisation.
He also said a separate request sent to the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation (India) and Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation regarding any connection with Pandian’s Venezuela visit has received no response so far.