Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has left for the United States for a "regular medical check up", following a kidney transplant last year, two people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
The minister, 66, is expected to present this government's last budget on February 1 before Prime Minister Narendra seeks a re-election in a general election due by May.
A person familiar with Jaitley's medical condition said the minister had "recovered well" from the transplant in New Delhi eight months ago.
A Finance Ministry spokesman declined to comment.
Jaitley is the publicity head of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's election team and often acts as the chief spokesman for the government.