Q.3580 Bilateral Dialogue

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware about the Chaophraya Dialogue between India and Pakistan think tank Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and Jinnha Institute which was held in Bangkok recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said Meet has suggested to set up regular dialogue between defence chiefs and intelligence chiefs as a confidence building measure between the two countries;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the said Meet has also suggested to ease visa restrictions by both the countries to help people to people contact; and
(f) if so, the steps taken being taken by the Government on the suggestions made in the Meet?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SMT. PRENEET KAUR)

(a) to (e) Government has seen media reports on the Chaophraya Dialogue, which was jointly organised by Pakistan-based Jinnah Institute and India’s Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. It has been reported that the participants, inter alia, suggested that to facilitate people-to-people exchanges there was a need to relax visa restrictions and in order to build trust and confidence, they proposed exchange of visits by military delegations especially at the level of service chiefs, and similar exchanges between intelligence agencies.

(f) Government considers the views of members of civil society, in the formulation of foreign policy.

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220216810.

Lok Sabha