Parliamentary panel on External Affairs to review India-China, India-Pakistan relations ahead of Jammu-Ladakh visit
New Delhi, June 19
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is scheduled to meet at 4:30 pm on Friday in the Parliament House Annexe to receive a pre-departure briefing from the Ministry of External Affairs ahead of its upcoming study visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The briefing will be given by representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs ahead of the Committee's field visit scheduled from June 22 to June 25.
According to the agenda, the Committee will deliberate on the subject "Understanding India-China Relations and the way forward", with special reference to the Indo-China border. It will also discuss "Recent developments in India-Pakistan relations", with a specific focus on the India-Pakistan border.
The study visit is aimed at enabling members of the Parliamentary panel to gain first-hand insights into strategic and security-related issues in the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, particularly in the context of India's relations with China and Pakistan.
The visit will cover key locations including Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and Leh, where the Committee is expected to interact with stakeholders and assess ground-level developments.
Earlier, on June 15, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture discussed the impact of West Asian geopolitical developments on India's road infrastructure sector in the Parliament House Annexe Extension (PHAE).
Janata Dal (United) National Working President and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, Sanjay Kumar Jha, is heading the committee meeting.
The committee held discussions with the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, on the subject, "Impact of Geopolitical Developments in West Asia on India's Road Infrastructure Sector.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's a smart move to tie the study visit to both China and Pakistan relations. India needs a coherent strategy for its western and northern borders, and this kind of bipartisan engagement is a positive step. Looking forward to seeing actionable outcomes.
Tharoor is a seasoned diplomat, so this is a good choice for the committee. But I hope they don't just make it a political show. The people of Ladakh and J&K have legitimate concerns about infrastructure and security. Let's see some real ground work. 🙏
How about also discussing cross-border trade and cultural links? While security is paramount, we need a nuanced approach. Simply viewing neighbours through a security lens limits our options. India has centuries of shared history with both China and Pakistan.
About time we had a serious parliamentary review of border relations. The 2020 Galwan incident was a wake-up call. Any visit to Kargil and Leh will also remind us of the sacrifices of our armed forces. Hope the committee recommends better infrastructure for border villages.
Honestly, more talk and less action? These committees often produce reports that gather dust. We need concrete steps like strengthening border infrastructure, modernising our military, and pushing for economic decoupling from China. But at least the dialogue is starting. 🤷♀️
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