Lok Sabha Question No. 441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Visits of Foreign Dignitaries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Manjulata Mandal, C.N. Annadurai, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Su Thirunavukkarasar, Dhanush M Kumar, Vijayakumar (alias) Vijay Vasanth, S. Gnanathiraviam, Ganesan Selvam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## LOK SABHA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## VISITS OF FOREIGN DIGNITARIES

441. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH SHRI GNANATHIRAVIAM S SHRI SELVAM G

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

(a) the details of visits by foreign dignitaries to India during the last four months till date;

(b) the details of the issues on which deliberations were held with these foreign dignitaries;

(c) whether any bilateral agreements were signed with them and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the country-wise details of the foreign visits undertaken by the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and other dignitaries during the above mentioned period and amount of funds spent by the Government along with discussion held and the outcome thereof;

(e) the areas of cooperation identified and the benefits accruing to the country from such bilaterals visits; and

(f) 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 c) Information is placed at Annexure-I.

(d) Information is placed at Annexure-II. As per information available, amount of funds spent by the Government of India during the last four months on the foreign tours of the Prime Minister in 2023 is  Rs.  1,79,38,717/and on foreign tours of External Affairs Minister is Rs.1,06,80,810/-. Expenditure on visits of other Cabinet Minister is met from funds of the respective Ministry.

(e & f) 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.

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## Annexure-I

## VISITS BY FOREIGN DIGNITARIES DURING THE LAST FOUR MONTHS

|   Sl. No. | Country   | Name of Visiting HOG/HOS                                                            | Period of Visit   | Remarks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|-----------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Italy     | Ms. Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy                                         | 2-3 March 2023    | Entire aspects of bilateral relations were reviewed and leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues. Both leaders underscored their firm commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law as key values in promoting peace, stability and development. The visit resulted in elevation of India-Italy bilateral ties to "Strategic Partnership". During the visit, Italy joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative under Science, Technology and Academics cooperation pillar; Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility and MoU between Rabindra Bharti University Kolkata and Italian Consulate General in Kolkata were signed. |
|         2 | Australia | H.E. Mr. Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia                           | 08-11 March 2023  | Both Prime Ministers reviewed multifaceted bilateral relations including political and strategic, defence and security, trade and investment, education and research, agriculture and water, cyber and space, mining and critical minerals, climate change and renewable energy, and mobility of people. MoU on Cooperation in Sports, Terms of Reference on India-Australia Solar Taskforce and Letter of Intent between Atal Innovation Mission and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation of Australia for Furthering Cooperation in Innovation were signed.                                                                              |
|         3 | Bhutan    | His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, His Majesty the King of Bhutan to India | 3-5 April 2023    | The entire gamut of bilateral cooperation, regional and global issues of mutual interest were discussed. Prime Minister reaffirmed India's deep commitment to unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan and reiterated continued and full support to the socio- economic development in Bhutan based on the priorities of the Royal Government and as per the vision of His Majesty. A Joint Statement titled 'A Framework for Expanded India-Bhutan Partnership' was issued.                                                                                                                                                                              |

|   4 | Cambodia   | His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia              | 29-31 May 2023       | , India- Cambodia relationship is being strengthened with regular interactions at various levels and India contributing towards capacity building, taking up conservation and restoration of cultural monuments, providing aid and assistance towards socio-economic projects including de-mining, extending Lines of Credit for projects, and defense cooperation.   |
|-----|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   5 | Nepal      | Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Prime Minister of Nepal | 31 May -03 June 2023 | Prime Ministers of India and Nepal reviewed the entire spectrum of the bilateral relationship covering political, economic, trade, energy, security and developmental cooperation.                                                                                                                                                                                    |

## Annexure- II

## VISIT BY PRIME MINISTER DURING THE LAST FOUR MONTHS

|   Sl. No. | Name of Country          | Period of Visit   |
|-----------|--------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Japan                    | 19-20 May, 2023   |
|         2 | Papua New Guinea         | 21-22 May, 2023   |
|         3 | Australia                | 22-24 May 2023    |
|         4 | United States of America | 20-23 June, 2023  |
|         5 | Egypt                    | 24-25 June, 2023  |
|         6 | France                   | 13-14 July 2023   |
|         7 | UAE                      | 15 July 2023      |

## VISIT BY EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER DURING THE LAST FOUR MONTHS

|   Sl. No. | Name of Country    | Period of Visit     |
|-----------|--------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Uganda             | 10-12 April 2023    |
|         2 | Ethiopia           | 13 April 2023       |
|         3 | Mozambique         | 13-15 April, 2023   |
|         4 | Guyana             | 20-24 April 2023    |
|         5 | Panama             | 24-25 April, 2023.  |
|         6 | Colombia           | 24-26 April 2023    |
|         7 | Dominican Republic | 27-29 April 2023    |
|         8 | Bangladesh         | 11-12 May 2023      |
|         9 | Sweden             | 13-15 May, 2023     |
|        10 | Belgium            | 15-16 May 2023      |
|        11 | Australia          | 22-24 May 2023      |
|        12 | Brunei             | 30-31 May 2023      |
|        13 | South Africa       | 31 May- 4 June 2023 |
|        14 | Namibia            | 4-6 June 2023       |
|        15 | Tanzania           | 5-8 July 2023       |
|        16 | Indonesia          | 12-15 July 2023     |
|        15 | Thailand           | 15-18 July 2023     |

## Annexure- II

## VISIT BY OTHER CABINET MINISTERS DURING THE LAST FOUR MONTHS

|   Sl. No. | Name Country   | of Name of Minister                                   | Period of Visit   |
|-----------|----------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|         1 | Maldives       | Shri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Mantri                     | 1-3 May 2023      |
|         2 | Nigeria        | Shri Rajnath Singh, Raksha Mantri                     | 28-29 May, 2023   |
|         3 | Singapore      | Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister           | 29-31 May, 2023.  |
|         4 | Brazil         | Shri Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs | 11-13 June, 2023. |
|         5 | Uruguay        | Shri Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs | 14-17 June 2023   |
|         6 | Norway         | Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Earth Sciences         | 11-17 June 2023   |