Lok Sabha Question No. 655 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-26
Subject: Foreign Dignitaries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.655 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.06.2019

## 'FOREIGN DIGNITARIES'

## 655.  SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

## SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

## SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of foreign dignitaries who visited India during each of the last three months and the current month, country-wise;
- (b) the details of foreign trips undertaken by the Prime Minister of India and other dignitaries during the said period;
- (c) the agreements signed and the advantage to the country as a result thereof; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  boost  the bilateral relations with foreign countries?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## ANSWER [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

Information on details of foreign dignitaries who visited India during  1  March  -  21  June  2019  is  at  Annexure  I.  Information  on foreign trips undertaken by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries during 1 March - 21 June 2019 is at Annexure II.

## VISITS BY FOREIGN DIGNITARIES

|   S. No . | The details of foreign dignitaries who visited India during each of the last three months and the current month, country-wise   | The agreements signed and the advantage to the Country as a result thereof: and                                                                                                                                                                    | The steps taken/being taken by the Government to boost the bilateral relations with foreign countries                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | 04-06 March 2019 FM of Kenya                                                                                                    | To chair the second meeting of India- Kenya Joint Commission.                                                                                                                                                                                      | Government of India has been proactively working to enhance and consolidate existing friendly relations with all the African countries by way of developmental cooperation including capacity building, skill development programmes and humanitarian aid from time to time. Keeping in line with its focus on Africa, in the last four years, there have been 29 VVIP visits from India at the level of President, Vice President and Prime Minister. Prime Minister articulated our Africa policy in 10 broad principles. The key features of our pro-active and robust Africa Policy include inclusive and continental approach. The Union Cabinet of India has decided to open 18 new Embassies/High Commissions in Africa in the next few years. We are going to have a digital bridge- e- VidhyaBharati and e-AarogyaBharati (e-VBAB) project between India and Africa. The engagement is long- term and is being pursued vigorously. |
|         2 | 07-12 March 2019 Foreign Minister of Gambia                                                                                     | MoU between the Foreign Service Institute, Ministry of External Affairs, Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Republic of The Gambia was signed on March 7, 2019 during the visit | VVIP visit is scheduled to take place in near future. 25 Gambian civil servants are being trained at National Centre for Good Governance, Mussoorie from 10-21 June 2019.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|         3 | 7-19 March, 2019 Minister of Economic Planning                                                                                  | To attend 14 th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

## Annexure I

|    | and Director General of National Planning Commission of Namibia                                                                                                                                              |                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | 11 March 2019 MOS for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia                                                                                                                                                        | The visit of MOS for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia was to follow-up on the visit of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|  5 | 15-20 March 2019 Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of Gambia (15-19 March, 2019)                                                                                                                      | To attend the CII- Exim Bank Conclave                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|  6 | 16-27 March 2019 PM of Guinea (19 March2019), Minister of Investment and Public and Private Partnership (from 16- 20 March 2019) and Minister of industry, Small and Medium Enterprises (16-20               | To attend the CII- Exim Bank Conclave                                                                                  | India's diplomatic Mission has been opened in January 2019 in Conakry, Guinea. A VVIP visit to Guinea is proposed in July 2019.                                                                                                                                            |
|  7 | 16-20 March 2019 VP of Ghana (19 March 2019), Minister of Transport (16-20 March 2019), Minister for Works and Housing (16-20 March 2019) and Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (18-20 March 2019) | To attend the CII- Exim Bank Conclave                                                                                  | In the recent past, in addition to enhanced engagement at the political level, LoC projects worth USD 2.66 mn have been signed. An NDC team visited Ghana in May 2019. The visits and recent signing of LoCs have further strengthened our bilateral relations with Ghana. |
|  8 | 16-20 March 2019 Minister of Equipments of Mali                                                                                                                                                              | To attend CII- Exim Bank Conclave                                                                                      | The visit helped our business community to engage with the Malian side on project opportunities in Mali.                                                                                                                                                                   |
|  9 | 17-20 March 2019 Deputy Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho                                                                                                                                                   | To attend the 14th CII EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                              |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 10 | 17-19 March 2019 Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Morocco                                                                                                                        | To attend the 14th CII EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                              |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |

|   11 | 17-21 March 2019 Minister of Energy of Burkina Faso                                                                                              | To attend 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                                                                    | India's diplomatic Mission has been reopened in March 2019. Our Ambassador has presented his credentials to the President of Burkina Faso. The reopening of the Mission is expected to strengthen bilateral relations with Burkina Faso.                                                 |
|------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   14 | 17-20 March 2019 Minister in charge of Cooperation with the Commonwealth, Ministry of External Relations, Cameroon                               | To attend 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                                                                    | India's diplomatic Mission will be opening soon in Yaounde, Cameroon. Indian High Commissioner to Yaounde has been appointed. Recent visits and opening of the Mission are expected to strengthen our bilateral relations with Cameroon.                                                 |
|   12 | 17-19 March 2019 Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism of                                                                                      | To attend 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|   13 | 17-19 March 2019 Minister of Industry and Trade of Mozambique                                                                                    | To attend 14th CII-Exim Bank conclave                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|   14 | 17-19 March 2019 Deputy Finance Minister of South Sudan                                                                                          | To attend 14th CII-Exim Bank conclave                                                                                                                    | Apart from several development projects proposals like construction of a psychiatric hospital, rural technology park, vocational training centre and agricultural seed production centre Government of India also gives 200 ITEC training slots and 15 ICCR scholarships to South Sudan. |
|   15 | 17-20 March 2019 Minister of Industry Trade and Investment (17-19 March 2019), Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing (17-20 March 2019) of | To attend 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave                                                                                                                    | Formal proposal from                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|   16 | 25 - 28 March 2019 Minister for National Planning and Monitoring of Papua New Guinea                                                             | Hon'ble Minister expressed interest in (i) Signing Economic Partnership Agreement, (ii) Setting up Training Centre for youth in PNG on the same lines as | Government Papua New Guinea is awaited on all the issues discussed during the visit.                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

|    |                                                                     | National Small Industrial Corporation, (iii) Post Graduate courses for Maths and Science teachers of PNG in India, (iv) Buying text books and study material in addition to accessing e-education solution from NCERT, (v) Bringing trade and investors to attend the business seminar and participate in PNG road show in India in collaboration with CII and (vi) Exploration of gas in   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 17 | 27-28 March 2019 MOS for Food Security of UAE                       | Discussed on establishing a Food Security Alliance between the two countries. Also discussed issues related to Food Processing Industries such as diversification and commercialisation of agriculture, enhancing shelf life of agriculture produce etc.                                                                                                                                    | To strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, we established number of bilateral mechanisms such as Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) Strategic dialogue mechanism, High level Task Force on Investments, Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) which have been meeting regularly and giving required thrust for our bilateral agenda. Besides, bilateral visits at highest level are also promoting our |
| 18 | 4 April 2019 Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia | During his visit, Ms Tatevik Revazyan met Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Civil Aviation and representatives of Indian airlines to discuss direct air links between India and Armenia                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Both sides are pursuing to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of civil aviation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 19 | 13-14 May 2019 Minister of Trade & Industry of South Africa         | To attend the WTO Ministerial meeting of developing countries held in New Delhi                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 20 | 13-15 May 2019 Foreign Minister of Iran                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | India and Iran are engaged in developing a long term partnership in energy deepening of trade and investment cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people contacts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

|   21 | 16-22 May 2019 Minister of Human                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Working Visit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   22 | 17-22 May 2019 Deputy Minister of Commerce & Acting Commerce Minister, Kingdom of Thailand                                                                                                                                                                                                   | She visited Mumbai and Chennai to create networking for expanding opportunities and boosting business between India and Thailand                                                                                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|   23 | 20-24 May 2019 Vice Minister of Public Health of Cuba                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | For strengthening collaboration and developing different techniques of Traditional and Natural Medicine in the Health, sector of Cuba and India under the mechanism of the existing MoU in this field. Meeting with Secretary AYUSH and visits to Indian Institute of Yoga and All India Institute of Ayurveda | The two sides agreed upon the opportunity of establishment of a Panchkarma Centre in Havana. The Cuban side has expressed interest in signing of the MoUs regarding the establishment of an Academic Chair on Ayurveda and another MoU on Academic and Research Collaboration. |
|   24 | 29 May - 1 June 2019 Swearing-in- Ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers President of Bangladesh President of Kyrgyz Republic President of Sri Lanka President of Myanmar Prime Minister of Mauritius Prime Minister of Bhutan Prime Minister of Nepal Special Envoy of |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|   25 | 30th May-1st June 2019 Visit of PM of Bhutan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | PM of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering visited India on 30th May-1st June 2019 to attend swearing in ceremony of PM Modi and                                                                                                                                                                                          | India and Bhutan share close and historical ties of friendship and cooperation. With regular exchange of high level visits and meetings of bilateral mechanisms, bilateral                                                                                                     |

|    |                                                                                                               | his government. During the meeting between the two PMs after the swearing-in of PM Modi, both sides discussed issues of mutual interest and bilateral co- operation including development partnership and hydro-power co- operation. No Agreement/MoU was signed during the visit.                                                                                          | relations have witnessed sustained progress in diverse areas of cooperation such as trade and transit, economic and development partnership, hydropower development, border management & security, water resources, education, culture & capacity building.                                                                                                                                                            |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 26 | 09-11 June 2019 Minister of State for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France                                    | During the visit of French Minister of State Mr. Jean- Baptiste Lemoyne, a Tripartite Agreement was signed among the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), SNCF Hubs and Connexions and the Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) where IRSDC is the beneficiary, AFD is the implementing agency and SNCF Hubs and Connections is the technical partner. | Several steps including high-level visits; signing of Agreements/MOUs etc. enhancing collaboration in the fields of energy, sustainable development, counter-terrorism, education, culture, defence and security etc. through exchange of personnel/experts, sharing of technology etc. Other steps include easing of visa norms and concluding migration and mobility agreement to enhance people-to- people contact. |
| 27 | 17-20 June 2019 Deputy Prime Minister & Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia      | Held bilateral meetings with NSA, EAM, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Head of Coal India Ltd and discussed India - Russia cooperation in the Russian Far East. No agreement was signed.                                                                                                                                                                               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 28 | 20 June 2019 Minister for Communications & Information and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations of Singapore | Held meetings with External Affairs Minister, Minister of Road Transport and Highways & MSME, Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, and Minister of Railways & Commerce and Industry. The visiting Minister also addressed the Singapore Symposium jointly organised by CII and Ananta Aspen Centre.                                                                     | Discussed cooperation to further enhance bilateral relations between Singapore and India including digital sector.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

## VISITS BY INDIAN DIGNITARIES

| S. No.                         | The details of foreign trips undertaken by the PM of India and other dignitaries during each of the last three months and the current   | The agreements signed and the advantage to the Country as a result thereof: and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | The steps taken/being taken by the Government to boost the bilateral relations with foreign countries                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| VISIT OF HON'BLE RASHTRAPATIJI | VISIT OF HON'BLE RASHTRAPATIJI                                                                                                          | VISIT OF HON'BLE RASHTRAPATIJI                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | VISIT OF HON'BLE RASHTRAPATIJI                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| 1.                             | 25-28 March 2019 Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji to Croatia                                                                                       | The visit was historic, being the first-ever visit of an Indian Head of State to Croatia. The bestowing of highest civilian award of Croatia 'the Grand Order of King Tomislav' on Rashtrapatiji showed the importance that Croatia attach to India. Discussions were held on building stronger bilateral cooperation. Rashtrapatiji and Croatian President jointly addressed India-Croatia Joint Business Forum. Rashtrapatiji also addressed the youth at the University of Zagreb. Four MoUs were signed in (i) Tourism, (ii) Sports, (iii) renewal of Hindi chair, (iv) establishment of a Sanskrit | India-Croatia bilateral relationship has been in upswing and several steps have been undertaken in this regard. Apart from the regular political exchanges, our Mission in Croatia is promoting bilateral relations through tourism shows, cultural events, business seminars/marketing events and Yoga events in Croatia. Number of Institutional mechanism are in place between the two countries such as Foreign Office Consultations, Joint Business Council, JWG in the field of Health & Medicines etc for cooperation in various sectors. |
| 2.                             | 28-30 March 2019 Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji to Bolivia                                                                                       | Several topics related to partnerships in lithium, pharmaceuticals & industry, railway infrastructure development, traditional medicine, hydrocarbons, new and renewable energy, space, cultural exchanges and capacity building were discussed and eight Agreements/MoUs were                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | US$ 100 million line of credit, doubling of ITEC training slots and gifting of two busts of Mahatma Gandhi were announced.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| 3.                             | 30 March - 1 April 2019 Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji to Chile                                                                                  | Following agreements were signed: (i) Cultural Exchange Programme for 2019-2022 (ii) Joint Letter of Intent for Cooperation in Disability Sector                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | Discussions on -Expanding Preferential Trade Agreement into Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, incorporating bilateral investment protection elements, services etc. -Recognition of GI on Pisco in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

## Annexure II

| (iii) Joint Letter of Renewal for the MoU concerning Cooperation in the field of Geology and Mineral Resources Chile's favour. -India's Associate Membership Pacific Alliance. -Agreement on G2G for supply low cost drugs.   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

## VISITS OF HON'BLE VICE PRESIDENT

|   1 | 5-7 March 2019 Hon'ble Vice President to Paraguay                                                                                           | The two sides agreed to explore new areas of collaboration including in hydel and solar, health including traditional medicine, Information and Communication Technology, farming and agriculture machinery, space and biotechnology, railways and tourism related infrastructure. Specific areas discussed included agro-processing, supply of equipment like tractors from India, hydel energy sector modernization, supply of medical equipment and generic medicine that could be useful to Paraguayan health care system.   | This was the first high level visit from India to Paraguay since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961.                                                                                                                                                                |
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2 | 7-9 March 2019 Hon'ble Vice President to Costa Rica                                                                                         | An Agreement on Exemption on Visa requirement for holders of Diplomatic, Official and Service Passports and Letter of Intent for Cooperation in the field of Biotechnology were signed during the visit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Key areas identified as holding potential for bilateral collaboration include: tourism particularly eco tourism, space and biotechnology, renewable energy including solar and hydel, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, ICT particularly eGovernance, urban transport and eVehicles. |
|   3 | 9-12 May 2019 Vice President to Vietnam (To deliver Key Note Address as Guest of Honour at 16 th UN International Day of Vesak Celebrations | (i) No MoU was signed during the visit (ii) Hon'ble Vice-President of India delivered key note speech at UN International Day of Vesak emphasizing the India's civilizational links with Vietnam and role of Buddhism in promoting peace & harmony (iii) Hon'ble Vice-President of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | (i) During the delegation level talks and meeting with Vietnmaese Prime Minister, measures to enhance political, economic and defence relations were discussed. (ii) During the meeting with Chairwoman of National                                                                |

at Vietnam)

India met

Minister,

Vietnamese

Prime

Vice-President and

Chairwoman of National Assembly of Vietnam during the visit

## VISITS OF PRIME MINISTER

|   1. | 8-9 June 2019 State Visit of PM to Maldives                          | (i) MoU for Cooperation in the Field of Hydrography between Indian Navy and Maldives National Defence Force (ii) MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health between GoI and GoM (iii) MoU for the Establishment of Passenger and Cargo Services by Sea between Ministry of Shipping, GoI and Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, GoM (iv) MoU for Cooperation in Customs Capacity Building between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of India and the Maldives Customs Service (v) MoU between National Centre for Good Governance, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and Maldives Civil Service Commission on Training and Capacity Building Programme for Maldivian Civil Servants (vi) Technical Agreement on Sharing White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National   | Regular high level political engagement with Maldives has strengthened our bilateral relations. This is evident in the wide range of issues wherein MoUs / Agreements have been signed. These include not only facilitation of people-to-people contact and exchanges between India and Maldives, but also provides the framework for cooperation in areas such as Tourism, Health, Defence, Culture, High Impact Community Development Projects, Renewable Energy, Capacity Building etc.   |
|------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    2 | 9 June 2019 Prime Minister to Sri Lanka                              | During the visit, the leaders discussed various areas of bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Government takes various steps including high-level visits and cooperation in sectors like commerce, defence, developmental cooperation, culture etc. to further enhance the bilateral                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|    3 | 13-14 June 2019 Prime Minister to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (To attend the | During the Meeting of Council of Heads of SCO Member States, outcome documents were signed in the Summit, including Cooperation in the field of Digitalization and Information and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | PM held delegation level talks with the President of Kyrgyz Republic. During the visit, Kyrgyz President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated India-Kyrgyz                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |

Assembly,  ways  to  enhance parliamentary

between the

cooperation two

were discussed.

countries

|               | Council of of States of SCO States Summit)                                                                                                                              | Telecommunication Technologies; Inter-regional Cooperation; cooperation on Environmental Protection and Anti-Drug Strategy implementation. Three Documents signed on the sidelines of the Summit - Cooperation in the field of Mass Media, Cooperation in Physical Education and Sports and Cooperation in Health- care.                                             | Business Forum. During the visit 15 documents were signed/adopted. PM also met Presidents of Russia, China, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Belarus and Kazakhastan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|---------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| VISITS OF EAM | VISITS OF EAM                                                                                                                                                           | VISITS OF EAM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | VISITS OF EAM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| 1.            | 1 March 2019 External Affairs Minister to Abu Dhabi (To participate in the inaugural meeting of 46th Council of Foreign Minister (CFM) meeting of OIC held in Abu Dhabi | Two sides agreed to deepen Partnership in the field of energy, including renewable. They will be assisted by respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Commerce & Industry.                                                                                                                                                                                        | To strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries we established number of bilateral mechanisms such as Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), Strategic dialogue mechanism, High level Task Force on Investments, Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) which have been meeting regularly and giving required thrust for our bilateral agenda. Besides, bilateral visits at highest level                                                                           |
| 2.            | 17-18 March 2019 External Affairs Minister to Maldives                                                                                                                  | (i) Agreement on Exemption from Visa Requirement for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports (ii) Memorandum of Understanding regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through Local Bodies (iii) Memorandum of Understanding on Collaboration in the Field of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | Regular high level political engagement with Maldives has strengthened our bilateral relations. This is evident in the wide range of issues wherein MoUs / Agreements have been signed. These include not only facilitation of people-to-people contact and exchanges between India and Maldives, but also provides the framework for cooperation in areas such as Tourism, Health, Defence, Culture, High Impact Community Development Projects, Renewable Energy, Capacity |
| 3.            | 21-22 May 2019 External Affairs Minister to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (To attend the Council of Foreign                                                                       | Discussions revolved around preparation for the meeting of the Council of Heads of the SCO Member States (CHS) (Bishkek, 13-14 June, 2019) and exchange of opinions on relevant regional and international issues                                                                                                                                                    | Paid a courtesy call on President of Kyrgyz Republic. Had bilateral meeting with Kyrgyz FM and reviewed identified areas of further cooperation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

|                             | Ministers of SCO Member States in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)                                         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4.                          | 7-8 June 2019 External Affairs Minister to Bhutan                                              | During the visit, EAM held interactions with Bhutan's leadership on various aspects of our bilateral partnership including economic development and hydro- power co-operation. No Agreement/MoU was signed during the visit           | India and Bhutan share close and historical ties of friendship and cooperation with regular exchange of high level visits and meetings of bilateral mechanisms, bilateral relations have witnessed sustained progress in diverse areas of cooperation such as trade and transit, economic and development partnership, hydropower development, border management & security, water resources, education, culture & capacity building. |
| 5                           | 14-15 June 2019 External Affairs Minister to Dushanbe (To attend the 5 th CICA Summit Meeting) | India's commitment to play an active role in CICA, a pan - Asian forum for enhancing cooperation and promoting peace, security and stability in Asia, was reiterated and India's vision for a secure and prosperous Asia was outlined | Bilateral discussion and meetings were held with Bahrain, Bangladesh, Iran, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| VISITS OF OTHER DIGNITARIES | VISITS OF OTHER DIGNITARIES                                                                    | VISITS OF OTHER DIGNITARIES                                                                                                                                                                                                           | VISITS OF OTHER DIGNITARIES                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| 1.                          | 28-29 April 2019 Raksha Mantri to Kyrgyz Republic                                              | To attend meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of SCO Member countries                                                                                                                                                             | On bilateral level, she met Chief of General Staff of Kyrgyz Armed Forces and reviewed ongoing Defence Cooperation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 2                           | 10-13 June, 2019 MOS for External Affairs to Nigeria                                           | MOS (VM) visited Nigeria from 10-15 June 2019 to attend the Democracy Day of Nigeria on 12 June 2019                                                                                                                                  | The visit by MOS reiterated our commitment to strengthening of bilateral relations with Nigeria.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 3                           | 14 June 2019 MOS for External Affairs to UAE (Dubai)                                           | On his way from Nigeria to India, MOS (VM) stopped over in Dubai and interacted with the Indian community and visited a Labour camp.                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |