Lok Sabha Question No. 251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Visits by Foreign Dignitaries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar, Ravneet Singh, Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.251 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2021

## VISITS BY FOREIGN DIGNITARIES

251. SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

SHRI P.C. GADDIGOUDAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of visits  by  foreign  dignitaries   to   India   during   the   last   six months;
- (b) the issues on which deliberations were held with them;
- (c) whether any bilateral agreements were signed;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of visits undertaken by the Prime Minister as well as External Affairs Minister during the above period;
- (f) the details of discussions held and the outcome thereof; and
- (g) the steps taken by the Government to further improve the relations with these countries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V MURALEEDHARAN]

- (a) to (d) Information is placed at Annexure I.
- (e) to (g) Information is placed at Annexure-II.

Outcome : High level visits are an important means by which nations serve their national interests and implement their foreign policy objectives. Visits by dignitaries enable enhanced understanding of India's perspectives on regional and global issues among foreign partners at the highest level.

These   visits   and   the   understandings   reached   therein   enable   India   to strengthen   relations   with   partner   countries   across   a   wide   range   of   sectors including health cooperation particularly combating Covid-19 pandemic, trade & investment,   technology   and   defence   collaboration.   Such   outcomes   also contribute to India's national development agenda to promote economic growth and well being of our people.

At the multilateral level, India is increasingly contributing to shaping the global agenda on an array of cross-cutting issues such as global, regional and bilateral efforts in combating Covid-19 pandemic; climate change, trans-national crime & terrorism, cyber security & nuclear non-proliferation, while also offering the world India's own unique solutions to global partners for addressing global issues, like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

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## Annexure- I to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 251

## Visits by foreign dignitaries

|   S. No . | Dignitary/ Country                                                                                     | Period of visit     | Issues on which deliberations were held                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Details of bilateral agreements signed                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister for Foreign Affairs NEPAL                                          | 14-16 January 2021  | Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali visited New Delhi and co-chaired the sixth meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Commission on 15 January 2021, with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. During the Joint Commission meeting, both sides reviewed all aspects of our bilateral cooperation and explored ways to further strengthen the traditionally close and friendly ties. Both sides discussed several areas of cooperation including in the areas of connectivity, economy and trade, power, oil and gas, water resources, cooperation in combating Covid-19 pandemic, development partnership, tourism, culture, education and capacity building. | ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|         2 | Mr. Prabowo Subianto, Defence Minister of Republic of INDONESIA                                        | 26-28 July, 2020    | The Defence Minister of Republic of Indonesia Mr. Prabowo Subianto visited India to take part in the Defence Ministers' Dialogue between the two countries on July 27, 2020. On the Indian side, the Dialogue was led by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. During the meeting, both the Ministers agreed to further enhance the bilateral defence cooperation in mutually agreed areas. Potential areas of cooperation in the field of defence industries and defence technology were identified by the two countries.                                                                                                                                                                     | ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|         3 | Mr. Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State of the USA Dr. Mark T. Esper, Secretary of Defense of the USA | 26-27 October, 2020 | Raksha Mantri and EAM met U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense at New Delhi for the Third Annual India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The Ministers welcomed the elevation of the India-U.S. relationship to a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the India-U.S. partnership, based on mutual trust and friendship, shared commitment to democracy, converging strategic interests, and robust engagement of their citizens.                                                                                                                                                                                  | 1. Letter of Intent Between Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi, and The Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Government of USA for cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and Cancer Research. 2. National Oceanic and |

|    |                                                                                                                       |                     |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Administration (NOAA) of USA and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India. 3. Agreement for Electronic Exchange Of Customs Data Between The Postal Operators (India Post, Government Of India And United States Postal Service, USA). 4. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) between the Ministry of Defence Government of India and the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA), Department of Defense of United States of America. 5. Extending duration of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Government of India and Government of United States of America concerning cooperation with Global Center for   |
|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council of National Reconciliation of the Islamic Republic of AFGHANISTAN | 6 - 10 October 2020 | Issues of bilateral and regional interest, India's long term commitment to ensure a peaceful, stable and unified Afghanistan and India's development cooperation; Afghan Peace Process.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|  5 | Ms. Florence Parly, Minister for Armed Forces, FRANCE                                                                 | 10 Septembe r 2020  | Ms. Parly was the Guest of Honour at the Rafale induction ceremony. Raksha Mantri held bilateral discussions with her on the India- France defence relationship.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|  6 | Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, UNITED KINGDOM          | 14-17 December 2020 | Foreign Secretary Raab met the External Affairs Minister, Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Ramesh Pokhriyal, Education Minister. He also visited Bengaluru where he met the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Foreign Secretary Raab held productive talks on strengthening of the partnership across trade, defence, climate, migration and mobility, education and health sectors in the post-Covid, post-Brexit context. | ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|  7 | Mr. Emmanuel Bonne, Diplomatic                                                                                        | 7-8 January         | Mr. Bonne and NSAheld the 34 th edition of the India-France Strategic                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | ---                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

| Advisor to President, FRANCE   | 2021   | Dialogue and discussed on a variety of issues including counter- terrorism, cybersecurity, nuclear and defence cooperation, maritime security and the Indo-Pacific region. Mr. Bonne called on PM, RMand EAM.   |
|--------------------------------|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

## Annexure- II to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 251

## Visits by Prime Minister

## -Nil-

## Visits by External Affairs Minister

|   S. No. | Countries visited           | Period of visit        | Details of discussions held and outcome thereof                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|----------|-----------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Russia                      | September 09- 10, 2020 | EAM attended the meeting of Council of SCO Foreign Ministers. Following the meeting, SCO Foreign Ministers adopted an Information Statement. On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, EAM participated in the meeting of Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers. Ajoint Press Release was issued after the conclusion of Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers Meeting. EAM also held a separate bilateral meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov. EAM had meetings with the Foreign Ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Issues of bilateral, regional and international importance were discussed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|        2 | Japan                       | October 06-07, 2020    | EAM participated in the Second India-Australia-Japan-USA Ministerial Meeting on 6 October 2020. He along with the Foreign Ministers called on Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Suga Yoshihide. EAM held separate bilateral meetings with the US Secretary of State and Australian Foreign Minister. EAM participated in the 13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue. The two ministers reviewed the progress made in the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and in this context discussed cooperation in various areas, including maritime security, trade and investment, manufacturing and skill development, connectivity and infrastructure, cybersecurity etc. Japan also conveyed its agreement to be the lead partner in the connectivity pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI), which was announced by PM Modi in November 2019. |
|        3 | UAE, Bahrain and Seychelles | November 24- 29, 2020  | UAE: EAM called on Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and met his UAE counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi. EAM conveyed PM's message to Crown Prince and appreciated his efforts in taking care of Indians in UAE during the pandemic. EAM also called on the PM and Vice President of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, and discussed issues of mutual interests. BAHRAIN : EAM visited Bahrain on 24-25 November 2020 to personally convey condolences on the sad demise of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, former Prime Minister of Bahrain. During the visit, EAM called on leadership of Bahrain and held detailed discussions with his counterpart on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of common interest.                                                                                     |

|    |           |                       | SEYCHELLES: EAM travelled on an official visit to Seychelles on 27-28 November 2020. During the visit, EAM called on H.E President Wavel Ramkalawan and also met with his counterpart Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Seychelles. EAM presented a personal message from Hon'ble Prime Minister to President Ramkalawan congratulating him on his electoral victory and assuring full support of Government of India for development, security and prosperity of Seychelles. Issues of mutual interest including defence and security cooperation were discussed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----|-----------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Qatar     | December 27- 28, 2020 | EAM called on the Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and handed over a personal letter from PM thanking him for the welfare and patronage of the Indian community especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and inviting him to visit India, which he graciously accepted. EAM also called on the Father Amir H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and discussed bilateral, regional and global issues. EAM met the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani and discussed bilateral economic and security cooperation. EAM held detailed discussions with the Deputy PM & Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including in trade, energy, investment, food processing, education, culture, healthcare, defence and security. EAM met prominent Qatari businessmen and discussed ways to further improve the trade and investment partnership and had a virtual interaction with the Indian community and appreciated their contribution in meeting the COVID-19 challenge. |
|  5 | Iran      | September 08,2020     | EAM visited Tehran while enroute Moscow. During the stopover visit, he met with his counterpart Foreign Minister H.E. Javad Zarif and discussed bilateral relations and regional developments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|  6 | Sri Lanka | January 5-7, 2021     | EAM visited Sri Lanka from 5-7 January 2021 upon the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena. He met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and various other dignitaries during the visit. EAM had fruitful discussions with the Sri Lankan leadership on wide ranging issues.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

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