The Week In Parliament

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External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has asked Pakistan to release and repatriate Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav following the judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Making a statement in both the Houses of Parliament, he said the judgment is not only a vindication for India and Jadhav but also for all those who believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of international treaties. He asserted that Jadhav is innocent of the charges made against him and his forced confession without legal representation and due process, will not change the reality. The External Affairs Minister said the court pronounced that Pakistan had breached relevant obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. He said the Court also declared that Islamabad is under an obligation to inform Jadhav without any further delay of his rights and to provide India consular access to him. Dr. Jaishankar said the ICJ pronounced that Pakistan had breached relevant obligations under the Vienna convention on Consular Relation.

Parliament has passed the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Bill, 2019 with the Rajya Sabha unanimously approving it. The Lok Sabah had already passed the bill. The legislation aims at enhancing the jurisdiction of the Agency to investigate scheduled offences committed outside India targeting Indians as well as Indian assets abroad. The latest amendment will enable it to additionally investigate offences related to human trafficking, counterfeit currency, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism and offences under the Explosive Substances Act of 1908. It also provides for constituting special courts for the trial of scheduled offences such as human trafficking and cyber terrorism. Replying to a debate, Home Minister Amit Shah assured the House that the Agency will be able to deal with the cases related to terrorism against Indian citizens abroad and against the interest of the country.

Parliament also passed the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019, with the Rajya Sabha approving it by a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had already passed the bill. The bill seeks to provide for the establishment and incorporation of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre for the purpose of creating an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalized arbitration.


The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2019 which gives effect to the proposals of the Central Government for the year 2019-2020. Explaining the proposed amendments in the taxation Acts, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out that the said amendments will promote make in India and Start-ups. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha that India and China are respecting bilateral pacts to ensure peace and tranquility along the border. He was replying to the issue raised by a Congress member, who alleged that the Chinese civilians entered the Demchok Sector on the Line of Actual Control during the Dalai Lama’s birthday on the 6th of this month. Mr. Singh said there is complete restraint by the armed forces of both the countries at Doklam. 

Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the government has taken several measures to check illegal migration in the country. These include erection of fencing on the international boundary, enhanced vigil by border-guarding forces.

Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan told the Lok Sabha that as a result of persistent efforts, New Delhi has been successful in securing the release and repatriation of 2,110 Indian prisoners including fishermen from Pakistan since 2014.

In reply to another question, the Minister said India announced its candidature for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat for the term 2021-2022 for the lone seat available for the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) in November 2013. In June 2019, India’s candidature to UNSC non-permanent seat for 2021-22 term, was endorsed by the 55-member Asia Pacific Group. Elections for UNSC non-permanent seat for the term 2021-22 will be held in June 2020 in New York.



Script: V. Mohan Rao, Journalist


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