Enhanced Indo-Lanka cooperation discussed between Moragoda and Lok Sabha’s External Affairs Committee chair

Sri Lanka and India sought ways and means to enhance cooperation at parliamentary level, when Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with the Chairman of the Committee on External Affairs of the Indian Parliament, Shri P.P. Chaudhary in New Delhi last week.

The meeting between Moragoda and Chaudhary “was held in a very cordial manner this morning (Thursday) at the latter’s official residence, and the discussion focused on how to enhance interactions between the two parliaments through exchanges of committees, friendship groups etc.”, a news rrelease from the New Delhi mission said.

It said the meeting was held in keeping with the objective, ‘Enhance cooperation at parliamentary level; boost parliamentary diplomacy’, stipulated in the ‘Integrated Country Strategy for Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India 2021/2023’ policy roadmap of the High Commission.

Moragoda presented a copy of the Integrated Country Strategy to Chaudhary. There was an exchange of views on the current economic situation in Sri Lanka. with Moragoda briefing Chaudhary on the present developments and thanking India for the support it has extended to overcome the challenges posed by the economic crisis.

The Chairman observed the deep and historical ties between the two countries and stated that India has always stood by Sri Lanka in keeping with its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the release said.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs is a department related standing committee (DRSC) of selected members of parliament, constituted by the Parliament of India, for the purpose of legislative oversight of foreign policy, and decision making of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is one of the 24 DRSCs that have been mandated with the task of ministry specific oversight.

Chaudhary is a Member of Parliament of the Lok Sabha (Lower House) representing Pali Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan. He is also a member of the Estimates Committee and the Business Advisory Committee of the Indian Parliament.

A senior advocate by profession, he is a member of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party, and had previously served as the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology, Minister of State for Law & Justice as well as the Minister of State for Corporate Affairs.