THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the central government's criticism, the IAS officer appointed by the state government to coordinate foreign cooperation, Dr. K Vasuki, took charge today.

External Affairs Spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal had criticized the action of the state government as an encroachment on the power of the Centre and unconstitutional. Regardless, Vasuki was given the additional charge of secretary in charge of 'external cooperation' following a high-level directive. This may lead to conflict between the centre and the state on foreign affairs.

States cannot sign agreements or treaties with foreign countries or agencies without central approval. The central rule states that the state government should not have relations with the offices or representatives of foreign countries in cases beyond temporary matters. Prior approval of the Ministry of External Affairs is required for receiving financial assistance also.

According to the 10th entry of the First List (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, all matters relating to foreign affairs and foreign countries are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Centre. External Affairs is not a subject in the Concurrent List, where the Centre and the States have both powers or in the State List, where only the States have power. Therefore, the Centre can reject the State's demands in this regard.