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Key Points

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has just begun its new term under Chairman Shashi Tharoor. They're meeting to decide which important foreign policy subjects to focus on for the coming year. The committee includes 30 members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, featuring prominent politicians from across party lines. This marks their first meeting since being reconstituted for a one-year term starting October 2nd.

Key Points: Shashi Tharoor Leads Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs 2025-26

  • Committee led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor begins new term with 30 members from both houses
  • Will examine India's bid for permanent UN Security Council membership
  • Considers India-Pakistan relations and situation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir
  • Reviews welfare of Indian diaspora including NRIs and PIOs overseas
  • Examines passport facilities and India's role in United Nations
  • Considers Demands for Grants and bills related to External Affairs Ministry
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Parliamentary committee on External Affairs meets to decide on selection of subjects for 2025-26

Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs meets under Shashi Tharoor to select subjects for 2025-26 term, including India's UN Security Council bid and diaspora welfare.

"consideration of Memorandum No. 1 regarding Selection of Subjects for examination by the Committee during the term 2025-26 - Committee Agenda"

New Delhi, October 7

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs met on Tuesday to discuss the selection of subjects to be examined for the 2025-26 term of the committee.

The committee, led by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, started its meeting at the Parliament House Annexe Extension Building (EEPHA) at 11:30 AM today to discuss the "consideration of Memorandum No. 1 regarding Selection of Subjects for examination by the Committee during the term 2025-26."

This is the first sitting of the Committee since it was reconstituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker October 2, for a period of 1 year.

The committee consists of a total of 30 members with 20 from Lok Sabha, and 10 from Rajya Sabha.

Apart from Tharoor, the members include D K Aruna, Vijay Baghel, Mitesh Patel Bakabhai, Abhishek Banerjee, Arun Govil, Deepender Singh Hooda, Naveen Jindal, Navaskani K, Brijendra Singh Ola, Asaduddin Owaisi, Sanatan Pandey, Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Avinash Reddy, Aparajita Sarangi,i Arvind Ganpat Sawant, Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde, Bansuri Swaraj, Akshay Yadav from the Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha members, Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla, John Brittas, Raghav Chadha, Sagarika Ghose, K Laxman, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Rajeev Shukla, A D Singh, Ratanjit Pratap Narain Singh, Sudhanshu Trivedi.

The Departmentally-related Parliamentary Standing Committee (DRSC) on External Affairs was first constitutes on April 8, 1993, and later restricted in 2004, which increased the committee strength from 17 to 24.

The Committee considers the Demands for Grants of the concerned Ministries/Departments and make a report on the same to the House, examinebills related to ministry and referred to them, consider annual reports, and consider national basic long term policy documents presented to the house.

The Committee could also take up detailed examination of various other topics if time permits, such as Passport facilities, situation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Northern areas, Indian Council for Cultural relation, and India's role in United Nations, particularly the claim for permanent membership to Security Council, India-Pakistan relations, among multiple other things.

In the previous meetings, the committee considered the subjects regarding all aspects of the conditions and welfare of the Indian Diaspora Overseas, including NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs.

The Committee last met on September 23, where they were briefed by the representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs on the subject 'India-Sri Lanka Relations and the way ahead' and also the briefing by MEA representatives meeting with the US Congresspersons and Delegation.

The Lok Sabha on October 2 had reconstituted multiple parliamentary standing committees for a period of one year and constituted two select committees, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill and another on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
With Shashi Tharoor leading, we can expect some meaningful discussions. His diplomatic experience should bring valuable insights to the table.
A
Arjun K
They should focus on improving passport services and consular assistance for Indians abroad. The current delays are frustrating for NRIs and students.
S
Sarah B
While the committee composition looks balanced, I hope they move beyond just discussions and actually implement concrete policies. Too often these meetings don't lead to actionable outcomes.
V
Vikram M
PoK situation and border security should be top priority. National security comes first always! Jai Hind 🙏
D
David E
Good to see diverse representation from different parties. This bipartisan approach is essential for foreign policy matters that affect all Indians.
K
Kavya N
Hope they consider strengthening cultural diplomacy through ICCR. Our soft power is one of our greatest assets internationally.

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