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Home , Karan Singh, Kariya Munda, Meira Kumar, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Parliamentary delegation, Pranab Mukherjee

ANNEXURE-E

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 2013

DETAILS OF FOREIGN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS VISITING

1. : A 25-member Parliamentary Delegation led by His Excellency U Khin Aung Myint, Speaker of () of the Parliament of Myanmar visited India from 2 to 6 December, 2013.

On Thursday, 5 December, 2013 the delegation called on Hon‟ble , Shri Pranab ; Hon‟ble Vice President and Chairman, , Shri and later in the evening called on Hon‟ble Speaker, , Smt. . Hon‟ble Speaker Lok Sabha hosted a cultural programme in honour of the delegation which was followed by a dinner.

Besides , the delegation also visited Bodhgaya, .

2. Armenia: An 18-member Parliamentary Delegation led by His Excellency Mr. Hovik Abrahamyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia visited India from 4 to 8 December, 2013.

On Thursday, 5 December, 2013 the delegation called on Shri , Hon‟ble President of India; met Shri , Chairman and other Members of Parliamentary Standing on External Affairs and Shri , Minister of External Affairs.

On Friday, 6 December, 2013 the delegation met Smt. , Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha and later in the evening the delegation called on Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha which was followed by dinner hosted by her in honour of the delegation.

Besides Delhi, the delegation also visited Agra.

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NEWSLETTER 1 July to 30 September, 2013

CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA CPA Centennial Year 2011 Essay Competition: As part of the celebrations to mark the Centennial year of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the India Branch of the CPA and the Indian Parliamentary Group organized an Essay Competition on “Parliamentary Democracy: Gateway to Good Governance” in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and State Boards for students studying in classes IX to XII across the country. The Award Function for the Essay Competition was held on 17 July 2013. The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar gave away cash awards, certificates and mementos to the winners. The function was attended, among others, by Presiding Officers of State , Members of Parliament and other dignitaries. Multi-country Seminar on Parliaments and Accountability for Women’s and Children’ Health held in Dhaka () on 30 & 31 July, 2013: The Multi-Country Seminar on Parliaments and Accountability for Women‟s and Children‟s Health was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 30 and 31 July 2013. An Indian parliamentary Delegation consisting of Smt. Bijoya Chakravarty, MP (Lok Sabha); Smt. Rajani Patil, MP (Rajya Sabha); and Smt. , MP (Lok Sabha) attended the Seminar. Smt. Kalpana Sharma, Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat was the Secretary to the Delegation. IPG Executive Committee Meeting: Executive Committee Meeting of the Indian Parliamentary Group was held on 24 August, 2013 under the Presidentship of Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha . 34th General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA): The 34th General Assembly of ASEAN Inter- Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) was held at Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 18 to 23 September 2013. A 2-Member Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Shri Viswanathan Perumal, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha attended the 34th General Assembly of AIPA as „Observer‟. Shri V.R. Ramesh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat was the Secretary to the delegation.

EXCHANGE OF PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

Foreign Parliamentary Delegations Visiting India

Seychelles: A 04-Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Andre Pool, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles visited India from 04 to 09 August 2013.

On 07 August 2013 the delegation met Shri , Chairman, Standing Committee on Finance; Shri Ananth Kumar, Chairman and other Members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and Shri Murli , Chairman, Public Accounts Committee. Later in the evening a dinner was hosted by Hon‟ble Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri in honour of the delegation.

On 08 August 2013 the delegation called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar.

Papua New Guinea: A 09-member Parliamentary Delegation led by HE Mr. Theodore Zurenuoc, Speaker of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea visited India from 26 to 31 August 2013.

On 27 August 2013 the Delegation called on the Hon‟ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee; met Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of External Affairs and Shri Ananth Kumar, Chairman and other Members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. On the same day the delegation called on Hon‟ble speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar.

Visit of Foreign Dignitaries to Parliament House

Republic of Korea: A 6-member Parliamentary Delegation led by Mr. Jeong Kab-Yoon, Member of National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and President of Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on 29 July 2013. The Delegation also met Shri H.D. Deve Gowda, President of India-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group on the same day.

Malaysia: Hon. Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Pandikar Amin Mulia, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on 30 July 2013.

Bhutan: A 16-member Delegation led by H.E. (Dr.) Sonam Kinga, Hon‟ble Chairperson, National Council of Bhutan called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on 30 July 2013.

Liberia: Hon‟ble speaker, Lok sabha called on H.E. Ms. , President of the Republic of Liberia on 11 September 2013 in .

United Kingdom: Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice Chancellor, Cambridge University, United Kingdom (UK) called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on 13 September 2013.

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NEWSLETTER 1 April to 30 June, 2013

CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA 28th Session of the Steering Committee of Parliamentary Conference on the WTO, Brussels, Belgium: The 28th Session of the Steering Committee of Parliamentary Conference on the WTO was held in Brussels, Belgium on 28 and 29 May 2013. Shri P.C. Chacko, MP, Lok Sabha participated in the Session. During the Session, the following agenda items inter-alia came up for discussion: (i) Continuation of the policy dialogue with members of the high-level panel designated by the WTO Director-General to define the future of trade; (ii) Preparations for the next session of the Parliamentary Conference on The WTO; and (iii) Organization of a possible additional event during the Ministerial Conference in Bali. 24th Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar, Singapore: The 24th Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Seminar on the theme “Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy” was held in Singapore from 27 May to 1 June 2013. The Seminar was attended by delegates from across all nine CPA regions. Dr. (Smt.) Jhansi Lakshmi Botcha, MP, Lok Sabha participated in the Seminar from CPA India Union Branch. Delegates from State CPA Branches namely Shri Kuldip Sharma, Speaker, Vidhan Sabha; Shri Rakesh Jashvantlal Shah, MLA, Vidhan Sabha; Shri Ambika Chaudhary, MLC, Minister, ; and Shri Govind Singh, MLA, Vidhan Sabha also participated in the Seminar. The Seminar had a total of 15 Sessions. Dr. Botcha, MP participated in a number of Sessions. She was a lead Speaker on the Session 12 - “Challenges facing Women in Politics and Parliament”. 10th CPA Canadian Parliamentary Seminar, Ottawa: The Canada CPA Branch co-hosted the 10th CPA Canadian Parliamentary Seminar with CPA Secretariat in Ottawa from 2-8 June, 2013. The theme of the Seminar was “Strengthening Democracy and the role of Parliamentarians: Challenges and Solutions”. Shri J. M. Haroon Rasheed, MP, Lok Sabha attended the Seminar from CPA India Union branch. 3rd Westminster Workshop on the PAC, London: The UK CPA Branch had organized the 3rd Westminster Workshop on the Public Accounts Committee from 24 to 27 June, 2013 in London. Shri Bhartruhari Mehtab, MP, Lok Sabha and Shri A. K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat participated in the Workshop. There were 22 Sessions in the Workshop. Shri Mehtab made a presentation on the Session 17 of the Workshop entitled „Interpreting and Prioritizing Financial and Audit Information‟. Shri A. K. Singh participated as a panel member in Session 7 entitled “Forward Planning Committee Work” sharing views and experiences on the working of PAC in India.

EXCHANGE OF PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

Foreign Parliamentary Delegations Visiting India

Peru: An 8-Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mrs. Lourdes Alcorta Suero, MP, President of the Peru-India Parliamentary Friendship League visited India from 20 to 24 April 2013. On 22 April 2013, the delegation called on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Shri . The delegation also met the President and the Members of India-Peru Parliamentary Friendship Group on the same day. On 23 April 2013, the delegation called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahmed. : A 9–Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, Speaker of the Peoples‟ Majlis (Parliament) of Maldives visited India from 4 to 8 May, 2013. On 6 May 2013 the delegation called on Minister of External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid and also met Foreign Secretary, Shri . The Delegation also called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar on the same day. On 7 May 2013 the delegation met the President and other Members of the India-Maldives Parliament Friendship Group. The delegation also called on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Shri Kamal Nath and also met National Security Adviser, Shri . Indian Parliamentary Delegations Visiting Abroad

Belarus: A 13-Member Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar visited Belarus from 20 to 22 May 2013 under Bilateral Exchange. The other Members of the Delegation were: Sarvashri Anant G. Geete, Kishan Chand Tyagi, Sanjay Singh Chauhan, Harish Chaudhary, Avinash Pande, Prof. (Dr.) Ram Shankar, all Members of Parliament and Shri T.K. Viswanathan, Secretary General, Lok Sabha. Shri A.K. Singh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat was Secretary to the Delegation. Slovenia: A 13-Member Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar visited Slovenia from 27 to 31 May 2013 under Bilateral Exchange. The other Members of the Delegation were: Sarvashri Ramsinh Patalyabhi Rathwa, Tiruchi Siva, , Rama Chandra Khuntia, Sajjan Singh Verma, Dr. Sanjeev Ganesh Naik, all Members of Parliament and Shri T.K. Viswanathan, Secretary General, Lok Sabha. Shri Devender Singh, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat was Secretary to the Delegation.

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NEWSLETTER

JANUARY TO MARCH, 2013

EXCHANGE OF PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

Foreign Parliamentary Delegations Visiting India

Vietnam: An 11-Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam visited India from 20 to 25 February 2013. On 21 February 2013 the delegation called on the Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari; and the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar. The delegation also met the Chairman, Standing Committee on External Affairs Shri Ananth Kumar, and other Members of the Committee. A dinner was hosted by the Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Kariya Munda, in honour of the delegation.

Russia: A 43-Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mrs. Valentina I. Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of Federation, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation visited India from 25 to 27 February 2013. On 26 February 2013 the delegation called on the Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari; and the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar. Later in the evening the delegation called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

Iran: A 46-Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Dr. Ali Ardeshir Larijani, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of visited India from 24 February to 01 March 2013. On 27 February 2013 the delegation called on the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee; the Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari; the , Dr. ; and the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar. The delegation also met the Minister of External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid; and Shri Rajiv Mathur, Secretary, Ministry of Disinvestment on the same day. On 28 February 2013 the delegation met the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahmed. On the same day the Delegation also met the Vice-Presidents of the India- Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group, Shri Sk. Nurul Islam and Shri and other members of the Group.

Macedonia: An 11-Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Trajko Veljanoski, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia visited India from 4 to 8 March 2013. On 5 March 2013 the Delegation called on the Vice-President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari; and the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar. On 6 March 2013, the Delegation met the Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt. ; and the Chairman of Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other members of the Committee.

Indian Parliamentary Delegations Visiting Abroad

Myanmar: A 12-Member Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar visited Myanmar from 12 to 15 February 2013. The other Members of the Delegation were Smt. , Sarvashri Bhakta Charan Das, S. Semmalai, and Joseph Toppo, all members of Parliament; Shri T.K. Viswanathan, Secretary-General, Lok Sabha and Dr. Sundeep Khanna, Principal Secretary to Speaker, Lok Sabha. Shri U.S. Saxena, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat was Secretary to the Delegation.

Visit of Foreign Dignitaries to Parliament House

Mauritius: The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar called on the President of Republic of Mauritius, H.E. Mr. Rajkeswur Purryag, on 4 January 2013 .

Romania: Mr. Titus Corlatean, of Romania called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar on 7 March 2013.

Africa: A group of 36 Young Parliamentarians from 18 countries of the African Continent called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar on 19 March 2013. INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2012

VISIT OF FOREIGN DIGNITARIES TO PARLIAMENT HOUSE COMPLEX

Myanmar : Daw , Chairperson, National League for Democracy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 15.11.2012. She also planted a sapling in the lawns of Parliament House Complex. A lunch was hosted by the Hon‟ble Speaker in honour of the visiting dignitary.

Zanzibar, Tanzania : A delegation from the House of Representatives of Zanzibar, Tanzania led by Hon‟ble Pandu Ameir Kificho, Speaker of the House of Representatives, called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 12.12.2012. The delegation was attending a Study Visit organized by the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training.

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS VISITING ABROAD

Sixth Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians in Islamabad, from 4-6 November, 2012- Visit of an Indian Parliamentary Delegation:

A 14-Member Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Hon‟ble Speaker-Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar visited Islamabad, Pakistan from 4-6 November, 2012 to participate in the Sixth Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians. The other members of the Delegation were Prof. P. J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, , Shri , Smt. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, Dr. Mirza Mehboob Beg, Km. Meenakshi Natrajan - all Members of Parliament and Shri T K Viswanathan, Secretary-General, Lok Sabha. Shri R.K. Jain, Joint Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat was Secretary to the Delegation. Two subjects namely “Meaningful Participatory Democracy in South Asia --- Parliament‟s Affirmative Actions” and “Targeting Food Security for the Region: Ensuring Parliament‟s role in accomplishing MDGs” were discussed in detail during the sessions of the Conference.

FOREIGN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS VISITING INDIA

ICELAND: A 04 – Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Ms. Asta R. Johannesdottir, President (Speaker) of Althingi, the Parliament of Iceland visited India from 20 to 27 November, 2012.

On Tuesday, 20 November, 2012 the delegation met Minister of External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid; Minister of Culture, Smt. Chandresh K. Katoch; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Shri Kamal Nath and later in the evening called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. A dinner was hosted by Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

On Thursday, 22 November, 2012 the delegation met Minister of Finance, Shri P. Chidambaram; Minister of State for Shipping, Shri ; Hon‟ble Chairman and Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.

On Friday, 23 November, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee; met Minister of New & Renewable Energy, Dr. and Minister of State for External Affairs, Smt Preneet Kaur.

Besides Delhi, the delegation also visited Agra, Chennai and Mumbai.

HUNGARY: An 08 – Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Dr. Laszlo KOVER, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly visited India from 24 to 30 November, 2012.

On Tuesday, 27 November, 2012 the delegation called on the Vice – President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari; Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Shri Kamal Nath and later in the evening called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. A cultural programme was organized which was followed by dinner hosted by Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

On Thursday, 29 November, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee; met Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha , Smt. Sushma Swaraj; Chairman and Members of the Standing Committee on External Affairs and later in the evening a dinner was hosted by the President of India – Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group, Shri in honour of the delegation.

Besides Delhi, the delegation also visited Darjeeling and Agra.

PAKISTAN: A 14 – Member Parliamentary Delegation from Pakistan led by H.E. Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Chairman of the of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan visited India from 5 to 10 December, 2012.

On 6 December, 2012 the delegation called on the Vice – President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari and Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. The delegation also met the Minister of External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid; Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Shri and the President of Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Dr. .

On 7 December, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh besides meeting the Chairman and Members of the Standing Committee on External Affairs. Later in the evening cultural programme was organized which was followed by dinner hosted by Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

Besides Delhi, the delegation also visited Agra, and Ajmer.

IRAQ: A 28 – Member Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Osama Abdul – Aziz – Mohamd Al – Nujaefi, President of the Council of Representatives of visited India from 15 to 20 December, 2012.

On Monday, 17 December, 2012 the delegation called on the Vice – President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari; met the Chairman and Members of the Standing Committee on External Affairs and later in the evening called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. A dinner was hosted by Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

On Tuesday, 18 December, 2012, the delegation met Minister of External Affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid and later called on Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Shri Arun Jaitley.

Besides Delhi the delegation also visited Agra.

FUNCTION HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP (JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2012)

(i) Function to bid farewell to Outgoing President

On 23 July, 2012, a function was held in the Central Hall of Parliament House to bid farewell to the outgoing President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. During the function, the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Meira Kumar presented, on behalf of Members of Parliament, a Farewell Address placing on record their respectful and affectionate tributes to Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. She also presented Smt. Patil a scroll signed by the Members of Parliament and a silver plaque with Parliament House Replica. The outgoing President then addressed the distinguished gathering. She also attended an „At Home‟ given by the Members of Parliament.

(ii) A function to honour the Indian Medal winners & participants of Olympics at London was held on Friday, 17 August, 2012 in Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament Library Building. The winners and participants of the Olympics were honoured by Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha.

(iii) Annual General Meeting of the Indian Parliamentary Group was held on Tuesday, 4 September, 2012 in Main Committee Room, Parliament House Annexe under the Presidentship of Smt. Meira Kumar, Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. The meeting was followed by Dinner hosted by President of the Group in honour of the Members and Associate Members of the IPG in Banquet Hall, Parliament House Annexe.

DETAILS OF FOREIGN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS VISITING INDIA DURING JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, 2012

SOUTH AFRICA: A 20 – Member Parliamentary Delegation jointly led by H.E. Mr. M.V. Sisulu, Speaker of the National Assembly and H.E. Mr. M.J. Mahalangu, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of the Parliament of South Africa visited India from 8 to 14 July, 2012.

On Monday, 9 July, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and later in the evening called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. A cultural programme was organized which was followed by dinner hosted by Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

On Tuesday, 10 July, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble Vice – President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Water Resources, Lok Sabha Shri . The delegation also met Hon‟ble Chairman and Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.

Besides Delhi, the delegation also visited Bengaluru and Mumbai.

ASEAN Inter – Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA): A 16 – Member delegation led by H.E. Dr. Marzuki Alie, President of AIPA and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia visited India from 28 July to 02 August, 2012.

On Monday, 30 July, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha; Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha Smt. Sushma Swaraj. The delegation also met Hon‟ble Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed. A dinner was hosted by Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

Besides Delhi, the delegation visited Agra.

BHUTAN: A 10 – Member Parliamentary Delegation led by Hon‟ble Lyonpo Namgay Penjore, Chairperson of the National Council of Bhutan visited India from 05 to 10 August, 2012.

On Wednesday, 8 August, 2012 the delegation met Hon‟ble Chairman and Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The delegation called on Hon‟ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee & Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. Meeting with Speaker, Lok Sabha was followed by a cultural programme and dinner hosted in honour of the delegation.

On Thursday, 9 August, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Shri Arun Jaitely; Hon‟ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal; Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sushma Swaraj. The delegation also met the President and the Members of India – Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group over dinner hosted by the President of the Friendship Group.

Besides Delhi, the delegation also visited .

UNITED KINGDOM: An 11 – Member Parliamentary Delegation led by Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP and Chairman of CPA Executive Committee of the Parliament of United Kingdom visited India from 21 to 26 August, 2012.

On Wednesday, 22 August, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble Vice – President of India and Chairman, Rajya Sabha Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari; Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha and Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sushma Swaraj. A dinner was hosted by Hon‟ble Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha in honour of the delegation.

On Thursday, 23 August, 2012 the delegation called on Hon‟ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs & Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal.

Besides Delhi, the delegation visited Hyderabad.

INDIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION VISITING ABROAD DURING JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, 2012

A 3 – Member Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Mohammad Asrarul Haque, MP, Lok Sabha visited Lombok, Indonesia from 16 to 22 September, 2012 to attend the 33rd General Assembly of ASEAN Inter – Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) as „Observer‟. Shri Dhananjay Singh, MP was also a Member of the delegation. Shri C. S. Joon, Joint Secretary was the Secretary to the delegation.

VISIT OF FOREIGN DIGNITARIES TO PARLIAMENT HOUSE COMPLEX JULY 2012 TO SEPTEMBER 2012

Myanmar : Ten Parliamentarians from Myanmar called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 4.7.2012.

Singapore : H.E. Mr. Michael Palmer, Speaker of Singapore Parliament met the Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha. Also, an India-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group was launched by the Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in the presence of H.E. Mr. Michael Palmer, Speaker of Singapore Parliament and Members and lunch was hosted by the Hon‟ble Speaker, Lok Sabha in honour of the Speaker and Members of the Singapore Parliament on 12.07.2012.

Pakistan : Mr. Salman Bashir, of Pakistan called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 16.08.2012.

Israel : H.E. Mr. Alon Ushpiz, of called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 28.08.2012.

Thailand : A 9-member delegation from Thailand led by Mr. Krich Atitkaew, President, Thailand-India Parliamentary Friendship Group called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 31.08.2012. The delegation from Thailand also met Members of the India-Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group on 31.08.2012.

Sweden : H.E. Mr. Harald Sandberg, Ambassador of Sweden called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 06.09.2012.

A group of 26 students of Indian Origin from different countries, under ‘’ organized by the Ministry of Overseas India Affairs called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 18.09.2012.

Saudi Arabia : HRH Princess Adeleh Bint Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, daughter of King of Saudi Arabia called on the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 20.09.2012.