Relations with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh among important issues in India's neighbourhood foreign policy: Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi, August 4
Relations with Sri Lanka and relations with Bangladesh are among the top important issues in India's neighbourhood foreign policy, Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs Chairperson Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday and noted that the panel had earlier been briefed by subject experts, including former diplomats to Sri Lanka, earlier this year.
The committee on Tuesday heard views of the representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs on the subject 'India-Sri Lanka Relations and the way ahead'.
Tharoor, a Congress MP and former Union Minister, said after the meeting that a draft report will be prepared which will then be agreed upon and submitted to Parliament. He said the Committee is taking all issues and concerns about ties with Sri Lanka seriously
"We have been considering the question of India-Sri Lanka relations throughout this Committee's tenure, and we had already received a briefing by the Foreign Secretary last year and a briefing with subject experts, including former diplomats to Sri Lanka, earlier this year. This was the concluding consideration of detailed questions, along with updates on various developments in the Sri Lankan relationship since the last few meetings. After this, there will be no further meetings," he said.
"The Secretariat will be invited to start drafting a report, which will then be agreed upon and submitted to Parliament. There are four pending reports that need to be drafted. Once they are completed, meetings will be held to adopt the reports. Relations with Sri Lanka and relations with Bangladesh are among the top important issues in India's neighbourhood foreign policy. The Committee is taking all issues and concerns seriously," he added.
Answering a query, Tharoor said Pakistan was not taken up this time as the Committee has reported on it quite recently.
"It will come up in future sessions. The Foreign Secretary will continue to brief the Committee on important developments regarding Pakistan, but it is not a subject for a report right now, as the existing report remains valid. Similarly, there is no new report on China, as the existing report is still valid," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see the committee taking a comprehensive approach. India's neighbourhood policy needs to be proactive, not reactive. The Tamil fishing community issues with Sri Lanka need urgent attention, and I hope the report addresses that seriously.
Interesting that Pakistan and China are not being taken up now, but the existing reports remain valid. This shows a strategic continuity in our foreign policy. But I hope the focus on Sri Lanka includes economic cooperation, not just political ties. 🤔
Bangladesh relations are crucial for the Northeast connectivity and trade. I hope the committee looks into the Teesta water sharing issue too - it's been pending for too long. Our neighbourhood policy should be based on mutual respect and shared benefits.
Tharoor is a seasoned diplomat, but I wonder if the committee is just going through the motions. We've seen many reports gathering dust in Parliament. The real test is implementation - especially on the fisherman issue and Katchatheevu island matter.
It's reassuring to see bipartisan interest in our neighbourhood policy. The fact that they're listening to former diplomats shows maturity. But I hope the report also addresses China's growing influence in Sri Lanka - that's a strategic concern for us. 🌏
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