Lok Sabha Question No. 1592 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Visit to Foreign Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Deepak Baij, Manne Srinivas Reddy, Sougata Ray, Asaduddin Owaisi, Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 28/07/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1592

## VISIT TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

1592. SHRI DEEPAK BAIJ SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY PROF. SOUGATA RAY SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI SHRI KOMATI REDDY VENKAT REDDY SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA RAJU

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) the details of recent visits of Prime Minister to foreign countries including USA, Egypt and meeting with U.S. President along with the progress made in the strengthening of the strategic partnership;

(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof along with the sectors in which the agreements/ MoUs were signed between these countries during the said visit;

(c) the progress made till now in strengthening the strategic partnerships during the last three years including the foreign countries visited, issues discussed/MoUs signed and benefit accruing to our country therefrom; and

(d) whether US will support India to become member of UNSC and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI V MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b)

## USA (20-23 June 2023)

Prime Minister travelled to USA for an Official State visit at the invitation of the President of USA. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Biden had productive conversations and agreed to elevate  bilateral   relations   through   futuristic   and   enhanced   collaborations   in   technology   domains, diversifying   defence   cooperation,   boosting   commercial   ties,   and   strengthening   people-to-people contacts. The various outcomes of PM's visit to USA are reflected in the Joint Statement on 22 June 2023. The key outcomes are at Annexure-I.

## EGYPT (24-25 June 2023)

During the visit, PM held a Round Table discussion with Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and other prominent Cabinet Ministers who are part of the newly established 'India Unit' (in the Egyptian Cabinet to further cooperation with India). PM also met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 25 th June 2023 and both leaders reviewed various aspects of bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. The details of Agreements/ MoUs signed during the visit are at Annexure-II.

Information in respect of other foreign countries visited by PM during last three years is placed at Annexure-III.

(c) High level visits are established means to foster closer relations with foreign countries and promote India's engagements at bilateral, regional and global level. Through such visits India serves its national interest and implements foreign policy objectives. These visits have enhanced understanding of India's perspectives on regional and global issues among foreign partners at the highest level. Understandings reached during these visits have enabled India to strengthen relations with partner countries and put forward India's viewpoint and shape the agenda on global issues such as reformed multilateralism, peace and security, climate change, transnational crime, terrorism, cyber-security, resilient supply chain, energy and food security, etc.  while also offering the world India's own unique solutions to partners for addressing global issues. These visits and the understandings/agreements reached therein enable India to strengthen relations with partner countries across a wide range of sectors including science and technology, trade & investment and defence collaboration. Such outcomes also contribute to India's national development agenda to promote economic growth and well being of our people and put forward the interests of developing countries.

(d) USA has indicated support for India's permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council. USA has also welcomed India's candidature for non-permanent membership of UNSC in 2028-29.

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## Annexure-I

(i) India and USA agreed to augment technology cooperation, especially through the initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) focussing on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, space, quantum, and telecom etc.

(ii)   Under   Defence   Industrial   Cooperation   Roadmap,   the   defense   industries   and   startups   of   both countries announced their intent to engage in co-production and other activities. A US company, General Electric Aerospace announced that they would manufacture jet engines in India through transfer of technology for our Light Combat Aircrafts' indigenous production. India was included as a member in the Mineral Security Partnership, which aims to accelerate the development of sustainable global critical energy minerals supply chains. (iii) During Prime Minister's visit, Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO], signed the Artemis Accords with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA] for cooperation in civil exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes.

(iv) Both countries resolved six outstanding bilateral trade disputes in WTO through mutually agreed solutions. They agreed to strengthen collaboration between the respective SMEs and boost innovation linkages. In the telecommunication sector, both sides agreed to collaborate towards a bilateral "Trusted Network/Trusted Sources' framework; enable participation of Indian companies in the U.S. Rip and Replace Program; and undertake ORAN reciprocal pilot projects.

(v)   In   the   semiconductor   domain,   three   US   companies   made   announcement   for   building   a semiconductor assembly and test facility in India; and for training Indian engineers and workforce.

(vi) India and USA also agreed to accelerate cooperation in green hydrogen and other emerging technologies.

(vii) To deepen the people to people ties which are anchored in a 4.4 million Indian Diaspora in USA, the US announced its decision to open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. India will open a new consulate in Seattle later this year and identify locations for two more new Consulates in USA. The US will undertake a pilot later this year to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petitionbased temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals.

(viii) Both countries agreed to further strengthen higher education partnerships. The US Government announced that they would return to the Government of India 105 cultural antiquities that were illegally trafficked. This has since taken place.

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## Annexure-II

(i)  Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Republic of India and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

(ii) MOU between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation of the Arab Republic of Egypt on cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied sectors.

(iii) MOU between the Archaeological Survey of India of the Republic of India and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt on Protection and Preservation of Monuments and Archaeological sites & remains.

(iv) MoU between the Competition Authorities of India and Egypt on Cooperation in the field of Competition Laws.

(v)  Announcement of Direct flight between Cairo-Delhi sector.

(vi) Announcement for setting up a Centre of Excellence of Information Technology at the Dar Al Ifta, Cairo.

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## Annexure-III

|   S. No. | Name of Country            | Duration            | Outcome of the Visit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------|----------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Bangladesh                 | 26-27 Mar 2021      | 1. MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation; 2. MoU between Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and National Cadet Corps of India (INCC); 3. MoU on Establishment of a Framework of Cooperation in the Area of Trade Remedial Measures between Bangladesh and India; 4. Tripartite MoU on Supply of ICT Equipment, Courseware & Reference Books and Training for Bangladesh-Bharot Digital Service and Employment Training (BDSET) Centre; 5. Tripartite MoU for Establishment of Sports Facilities at Rajshahi College Field and Surrounding Areas.                                                                          |
|        2 | Italy, UK and the Holy See | 29 Oct- 02 Nov 2021 | 1. To attend G-20 Leaders Summit 2. To attend COP26 World Leaders Summit in Glasgow. PM had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Boris Johnson, on 1 November 2021 on the side-lines of COP26 Summit. The two Prime Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030. On 2 November 2021, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Johnson jointly launched the ambitious 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' (OSOWOG) programme and the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS). The OSOWOG is a part of the International Solar Alliance (ISA); and the IRIS is a part of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure |
|        3 | Germany                    | 2-3 May 2022        | 1. Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on the Establishment of an Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information & on the establishment of an agreement to establish a direct encrypted connection 2. JDI on the implementation of Triangular Development Cooperation projects in Third Countries 3. JDI on the Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development 4. JDI on the continuation of cooperation in the field of advanced training of corporate executives and junior executives 5. JDI on a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership. 6. JDI on Indo-German Development Cooperation Regarding                                |

|    |         |              | Renewable Energy Partnership 7. JDI on Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force 8. JDI on Agroecology and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (Lighthouse Initiative) 9. JDI on the Cooperation in the Field of Forest Landscape Restoration 10. Letter of Intent towards the establishment of a Biosafety level-4 laboratory in Bonda, Uttar Pradesh between the National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Robert Koch Institute of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany 11. JDI on cooperation in the field of medical products 12. MoU between the National Safety Council, India (NSCI) and the German Social Accident Insurance, Germany (DGUV) 13. MoU between Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) of India and The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) concerning collaboration in the field of occupational safety &health and social protection 14. MoU for collaboration in Nuclear Accelerator Science and Technologies and other Scientific Domains of Mutual interest-Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR), Facility for antiproton Ion Research (FAIR) and GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung (GSI), Darmstadt. 15. Agreement for Internship, Training and Research program for students and Researchers between IITR and GSI-FAIR   |
|----|---------|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Denmark | 3-4 May 2022 | 1. Declaration of Intent (DoI) on Migration and Mobility 2. Letter of Intent (LoI) between Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, GOI and Ministry of Business, Industry and Financial Affairs of Denmark on Centre of Excellence in Green Shipping 3. Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between the Ministry of Culture, GoI and Ministry of Culture of Denmark for the years 2022- 2026 4. Letter of Intent of between Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Environment of Denmark 5. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Skill Development, Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

|    |            |                 | 6. Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the fields of Animal Husbandry and Dairying                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----|------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  5 | France     | 4 May 2022      | PM paid an official visit to France on his way back from the 2nd India- Nordic Summit in Copenhagen. In Paris, PM met H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, in one-on-one and delegation level formats. The two leaders held discussions on the entire range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in defence, space, blue economy, civil nuclear and people- to-people ties. The two leaders also took stock of the regional and global security outlook and discussed ways to work together in making the India- France Strategic Partnership a force for global good. PM's visit to France displayed the strong friendship and goodwill not only between the two countries but also between the two leaders.                                                                                                                                                               |
|  6 | Nepal      | 16 May 2022     | 1. MoU between Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Lumbini Buddhist University on the establishment of Dr. Ambedkar Chair for Buddhist Studies 2. MoU between Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and CNAS, Tribhuvan University on the establishment of ICCR Chair of Indian Studies 3. MoU between Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Kathmandu University (KU) on the establishment of the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies 4. MoU (in collaboration) between Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), India 5. Letter of Agreement (LoA) between Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), India for joint degree program at Master's level 6. Agreement between SJVN Ltd and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for development and implementation of Arun 4 Project. |
|  7 | Japan      | 22-25 May 2022  | To attend Quad Leaders' Summit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|  8 | Germany    | 26-28 June 2022 | To attend G7 Summit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|  9 | Uzbekistan | 15-16 Sept 2022 | To attend Council of the Heads of State of the SCO member states. Samarkand Declaration was signed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

|   10. | Japan                                 | 26-28 2022   | Sept   | PM held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Japan H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida. Prime Minister conveyed his deepest condolences for the demise of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister noted the contributions of late Prime Minister Abe in strengthening India-Japan partnership as well in conceptualizing the vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. 2. The two leaders had a productive exchange of views on further deepening bilateral relations. They also discussed a number of regional and global issues. The leaders renewed their commitment towards further strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, and in working together in the region and in various international groupings and institutions.   |
|-------|---------------------------------------|--------------|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    11 | Indonesia                             | 14-16 2022   | Nov    | PM held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other G20 member states including France, UK, Italy, Singapore, Germany, Australia and few pull aside meetings to brief them on India's evolving G20 priorities. He also addressed and interacted with the Indian community in Bali. At the closing session of the Summit, the Indonesian President symbolically handed over the G20 Presidency to Prime Minister Modi. India will formally assume the G20 Presidency from 1st December 2022.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|    12 | Japan                                 | 20-21 2023   | May    | PM held a bilateral meeting with H.E Mr. Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, on 20 May 2023 on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima. The two leaders exchanged views on contemporary regional developments. They also discussed deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The leaders agreed on ways to further strengthen the bilateral Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Discussions focused on areas of education, skill development, tourism, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), green hydrogen, high technology, semiconductors and digital public infrastructure. Combating terrorism and reform of the United Nations was also discussed.                                                                                                               |
|    13 | Papua New Guinea New Zealand and Fiji | 21-22 2023   | May    | 1. A 12-point action plan was announced by PM during the FIPIC III Summit 2. MOUon Foreign Office Consultations between India &PNG 3. Agreement between India & PNG on Reciprocal Visa Waiver for Holders of Diplomatic &Official Passports 4. PM Co-chaired the 3rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC-3) Summit in Port Moresby which was attended by Heads of State/Govt of Pacific Island countries. 5. PM called on Sir Bob Dadae, PNG Gov-General and exchanged                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |

|    |           |                 | views on bilateral development partnership. Sir Dadae conferred the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu, the highest civilian award of PNG, on PM Modi. 6. PM held a bilateral meeting with James Marape, PNG Prime Minister and took stock of bilateral relations and discussed ways and means to further strengthen partnership across various sectors. 7. Prime Minister also met with Chris Hipkins, Prime Minister of New Zealand. They discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation initiatives, and agreed to expand cooperation in various sectors including trade & commerce, education, information technology, tourism, culture, sports and people to people ties. 8. PM met His Excellency Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka, Prime Minister of Fiji and reviewed the close and multifaceted development partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi was bestowed with the highest honor of the Republic of Fiji - the Companion of the Order of Fiji.   |
|----|-----------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 14 | Australia | 22-24 May 2023  | 1. Signing/exchange of Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA); 2. Signing/exchange of Terms of Reference of Taskforce on Green Hydrogen; 3. Announcement to open a new Consulate General of India in Brisbane 4. Australia's Prime Minister announced establishment of Centre for Australia-India Relations in Sydney, and renaming of Nelson Avenue in Perth as Sailani Avenue in honour of Indian soldier Nain Singh Sailani. 5. Both Prime Ministers laid the Foundation Stone of Little India Gateway to be established in Harris Park, Parramatta, Sydney.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 15 | France    | 13-14 July 2023 | 1. Letter of Intent on the New National Museum and Cooperation on Museology 2. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Digital Technologies between MeitY and French Ministry of Economy 3. Technical Cooperation between Direction-Générale d'Aviation Civile, France and Airports Authority of India in the field of Civil Aviation 4. Technical arrangements for Civil Aviation Security (AVSEC) between India and France                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |

|    |     |              | 5. Letter of Intent between Prasar Bharati and France Media Monde 6. MoU between Invest India and Business France 7. India-France joint Earth Observation mission TRISHNA Implementing Arrangement 8. Maritime Domain Awareness short-term programme Implementing Arrangement 9. Agreement on Conjunction Analysis and Evaluation Service: Alerts and Recommendations (CAESAR) and use of Exert Modules of JAVA for Assessment of Conjunction (JAC) software 10. Joint Declaration between ISRO and CNES Concerning Joint Developments in the field of Launchers 11. Letter of Intent between India and France for Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine 12. MoU between the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Chennai and Instiut Français de Recherche pour l'exploitation de la Mer(IFREMER) 13. Head of Agreement (HoA) between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and M/s Total Energies Gas and Power Ltd (Total Energies) to establish a long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA)   |
|----|-----|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 16 | UAE | 15 July 2023 | 1. MoU between RBI and UAE Central Bank for the establishment of a framework to promote the use of local currencies (INR - AED) for cross-border transactions 2. MoU between RBI and UAE Central Bank for the bilateral cooperation on interlinking their payment and messaging systems 3. MoU between Ministry of of Education of India, Department of Education and Knowledge, Abu Dhabi and IIT Delhi for planning to establish IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi, UAE 4. A Joint Statement was issued after the meeting. 5. A separate Joint Statement on Climate Change was also issued                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

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