Lok Sabha Question No. 4267 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Prime Minister’s Visits Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4267

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## PRIME MINISTER'S VISITS ABROAD

4267. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of the countries visited by the Prime Minister during the last six months;
- (b) the   details   of   Memorandum   of   Understanding   (MoU),   bilateral agreements   pertaining   to   socio-economic   relations,   diplomatic relations, etc. entered into with each of the countries; and
- (c) the steps taken to strengthen relations with the countries?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) to (c) Information as desired is placed at Annexure-I.

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## PRIME MINISTER's VISITS ABROAD

|   S. No. | The details of the countries visited by the Prime Minister from September 1, 2017 till date (a)   | The details of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), bilateral agreements pertaining to socio-economic relations, diplomatic relations, etc. entered into with each of the countries (b)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | The steps taken to strengthen the relations with the countries (c)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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|        1 | China (September 3-5, 2017)                                                                       | 9 th BRICS Summit Prime Minister led the Indian delegation for the 9 th BRICS Summit in Xiamen on 3-5 September, 2017. The outcomes of the Summit include the Xiamen Declaration. In addition - BRICS Action Agenda on Economic and Trade Cooperation; - BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2017-2020); - Strategic Framework of BRICS Customs Cooperation; and - MoU between BRICS Business Council and New Development Bank on Strategic Cooperation were signed during the Summit. India-China Bilateral No bilateral MoUs/agreements were signed during the visit. | 9 th BRICS Summit BRICS is a multilateral Grouping. India-China Bilateral During the visit of Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping to India in September 2014, the two sides forged a Closer Developmental Partnership, which was further consolidated during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to China in May 2015. In our multifaceted engagement with China, in areas where we have commonality of views, engagement has expanded and upgraded in recent years. Issues where there are differences are being handled through dialogue to seek a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution based on mutual respect and due sensitivity to each other's interests, concerns and aspirations. Accordingly, both sides have been working towards utilizing their bilateral dialogue mechanisms to promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides agree that progress in bilateral relations should be guided by the consensus reached between their leaders that at a time of global uncertainty, India-China relations are a factor of stability and India and China, in their relationship, must not allow differences to become disputes. |
|        2 | Myanmar (September 5-7, 2017)                                                                     | India-Myanmar Bilateral Key Agreements/MoUs were concluded between India and Myanmar in the areas of health, culture, capacity building, maritime security and for establishing collaboration between key institutions: 1. MoU on Maritime Security Cooperation 2. Cultural Exchange Programme for the year 2017-2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | India-Myanmar Bilateral Relations between India and Myanmar are multifaceted and rooted in shared historical, ethnic and cultural ties. Bilateral cooperation between India and Myanmar is aimed at promotion of inclusive growth and development and to contribute to peace, prosperity and stability in two countries and in the region. Our total developmental commitment to Myanmar, including the completed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

## ANNEXURE-I

|    |                                    | 3. MoU on Enhancing the Cooperation of the Upgradation of the Women's Police Training Centre at Yamethin, Myanmar. 4. MoU for Sharing White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy 5. Technical Agreement for providing Coastal Surveillance System 6. MoU between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare of India and Food and Drugs (FDA), Ministry of Health and Sports of Myanmar on Cooperation in Medical Products Regulation. 7. MoU between the Ministry of Health and Family welfare of India and the Ministry of Health And Sports of Myanmar on cooperation in the field of Health and medicine 8. Exchange of Letter for Extension of MoU on the establishment of MIIT 9. Exchange of Letter for Extension of MoU on the establishment of India-Myanmar Center for Enhancement of IT-Skill 10. MoU in the field of elections between the Election Commission of India and The Union Election Commission of Myanmar. 11. MoU on Cooperation between Myanmar Press Council and the Press Council of India th th   | and ongoing infrastructure projects like Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport project and Trilateral Highway project, is around US$ 1.75 billion. There have also been several meaningful exchanges between India and Myanmar. The visits from the President of Myanmar (August 2016) and State Counsellor of Myanmar (October 2016) and visit by the Prime Minister of India to Myanmar (September 2017) have provided new impetus to our relationship and helped us to identify potential areas of cooperation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
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|  3 | Philippines (November 12-14, 2017) | 15 ASEAN - India Summit and 12 East Asia Summit Prime Minister led the Indian delegation for the 15 th ASEAN - India Summit and 12 th East Asia Summit in Manila from 12-14 November, 2017 India-Philippines Bilateral The following MoUs were signed between India and Philippines during the visit : 1. MoU between the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), India, and the Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines (FSI), Manila 2. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises between National Small Industries Corporation, India and Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Philippines. 3. MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture and Related Fields                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 15 th ASEAN - India Summit and 12 th East Asia Summit These are multilateral Groupings. Through the engagement of the Prime Minister at forums such as ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit, the full spectrum of multilateral relations are discussed at the level of the Leaders and action undertaken to deliver on the commitments made across the various sectors of cooperation. India-Philippines Bilateral Prime Minister attended the East Asia Summit in Manila and on the sidelines of the Summit met President of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. PM invited the President of the Philippines for the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in New Delhi in January 2018. They discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations including cooperation in fields such as pharmaceuticals, counter-terrorism, defence cooperation and |

|    |                                   | 4. MoU on Defence Industry and Logistics cooperation 5. MoU between Indian Council of Cultural Relations and University of the Philippines on Establishment of ICCR Chair of Indian Studies.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | education. Prime Minister also met with President of the USA, Sultan of Brunei and Prime Ministers of Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam and Australia on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
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|  4 | Switzerland (January 22-23, 2018) | World Economic Forum (WEF), Davos Prime Minister visited Switzerland on 22-23 January 2018 to participate in the WEF at Davos. During the visit, PM delivered the plenary address at the opening session of the WEF at Davos on the theme, 'Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World.' Prime Minister began by observing that, 'The last visit of Indian Prime Minister to Davos was in 1997 when Mr. Deve Gowda came here. In 1997, the GDP of India was slightly over 400 billion dollars. Now after two decades it is almost 6 times.' In the course of his speech, Prime Minister addressed 'three principal challenges that have posed the biggest threats for the mankind', namely the threat of climate change, of terrorism and of many societies and countries becoming more and more self-centered. He also pointed out the significance of the economic reforms that have been carried out by Government and the benefits of these reforms in terms of making Indian economy more open and attractive. Earlier on 22 January, Prime Minister also attended a dinner interaction with 64 CEOs from around the world, 40 of them from other countries and 24 from India; the total market capitalization of these companies was $3.6 trillion. India-Switzerland Bilateral Prime Minister met President of the Swiss Confederation Mr Alain Berset and discussed issues of mutual interest. No MoU/ Agreement was signed during their meeting. | This is a multilateral Grouping. India-Switzerland Bilateral  Cooperate on maintaining people-to-people contacts and high emphasis on cultural exchanges and tourism  Implementation of Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI).  Strengthening cooperation through existing mechanisms of India-Switzerland Financial Dialogue, the Indo-Swiss Joint Economic Committee meetings and the Joint Committee on Science and Technology. |
|  5 | Jordan (February 9, 2018)         | No bilateral MoUs/agreements were signed during the visit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | PM extended invitation to King of Jordan to visit India in order to deepen cooperation in wide ranging areas that include defence, security, health, trade and investment etc. Accordingly, the King visited India on 27 February-01 March, 2018.                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|  6 | Palestine (February 10, 2018)     | India-Palestine Bilateral During the visit of Prime Minister to Palestine on 10 February, 2018, following six MoUs were signed for Projects Assistance for around US $ 42 million.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | India-Palestine Bilateral As part of India's solidarity with the Palestinian people, we have been extending political and financial support for the Palestinian cause. Execution of these projects in Palestine will help in                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

|    |                        | I. MoU between India and Palestine for construction of Super- Specialty Hospital at Beit Sahour in Bethlehem Governorate at a cost of US$ 30 million. II. MOU between India and Palestine for construction of India Palestine Centre for Empowering Women, 'Turathi' at a cost of US$ 5 million. III. MOU between India and Palestine for setting up of new National Printing Press at Ramallah at a cost of US$ 5 million. IV. MOU between India and Palestine for construction of school in Muthalth Al Shuhada Village at a cost of US$ 1 million. V. MOU between India and Palestine for construction of school in Tamoon village in Tubas Governorate in Palestine at a cost of US$ 1.1 million. VI. MOU between India and Palestine on Govt. of India assistance of US$ 0.25 million for construction of additional floor to Jawahar Lal Nehru School for Boys at Abu Dees.   | capacity building, human resource development and infrastructure development. India has been unwavering in its support for the Palestinian cause and hopes to see the realization of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, coexisting peacefully with Israel.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
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|  7 | UAE (Feb 10-11, 2018)  | India-UAE Bilateral During the visit, the following MoUs were concluded : I. MoU between Indian Consortium (ONGC Videsh Limited, Bharat Petroleum Refinery Limited & Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). II. MoU between Government of India and Government of UAE. III. MoU between Ministry of Railways, India and Federal Transport Authority-Land &Maritime of UAE. IV. MoU between Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). V. MoU between Government of Jammu and Kashmir and DP World, UAE on logistics.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | India-UAE Bilateral MoUs concluded would contribute to further strengthening of bilateral relations through: I. Providing for acquisition of 10% participating interest in the offshore Lower Zakum Concession II. Institutionalising the collaborative administration of contractual employment of Indian workers in UAE III. Providing Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector IV. Enhancing cooperation between both the countries in financial services industry V. Establishing multi-modal logistics park and hub in Jammu comprising warehouses and specialized storage solutions |
|  8 | Oman (Feb 11-12, 2018) | India-Oman Bilateral During the visit, the following MoUs were concluded : I. Agreement on Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Civil and Commercial matter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | India-Oman Bilateral MoUs concluded would contribute to further strengthening of bilateral relations through: I. Providing a basis for reciprocal legal and judicial                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

| II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII.   | Agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special, service and official passports MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health MoU on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space MoU on Cooperation between Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, India and Oman Diplomatic Institute MoU on Academic and Scholarly cooperation sectors between National Defence College Sultanate of Oman and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses MoU in the field of Tourism Cooperation between India and Oman Annexure to the MoU on Military Cooperation   | assistance in civil and commercial matters, like service of judicial orders, summons and other legal and judicial documents or processes II. Permitting citizens of both countries holding Diplomatic or Official Passports to enter into, exit from and transit through the territories of each party without requirement of visas III. Providing for cooperation in areas of health, including in occupational and environmental health, pharmaceuticals, medical education, exchange of the best practices in the field of primary healthcare, research in the field of healthcare, technology, health care system and exchange of medical experts and scientists IV. Cooperation in exploration and use of outer space, including application of space technology for peaceful purposes. It covers wide areas of cooperation in the fields of satellite, navigation, communication and other technologies related to space V. Promoting contacts and exchange of diplomats and faculty members of the institute. It will enhance cooperation between the two institutes in areas of activities which, inter alia, may include exchange of information on structure and content of the training programmes for diplomats and identification of experts in mutually agreed areas VI. Exchange of ideas through the conduct of conferences, seminars and dialogues; consultations on academic and scholarly issues; joint research projects; exchange of research work, publications, etc VII. Enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Oman to promote tourism. The MOU will also facilitate tourism investments, accommodation and hotel management by exchange of information statistics and training in the field of Tourism VIII. Use of certain facilities at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sea Port, Dry Dock and Air Port) by Indian armed forces   |
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