New Delhi : The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, convened on August 20 to discuss the performance of the passport issuance system in India. The meeting included a briefing from representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) covering the issuance of e-passports and a review of the Indian Passport Act and Rules.
The session took place at the Extension Building of the Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi. Earlier this month, on August 4, the same committee examined India-Sri Lanka relations, hearing evidence from MEA representatives to assess the future direction of bilateral ties.
Tharoor continues to serve as the Chairperson of the committee. In June, the committee carried out a study visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from June 22 to 25 as part of its ongoing work. During this visit, members held discussions with officials at the Regional Passport Office and MEA representatives based in Delhi.
The purpose of the visit was to provide committee members with direct insight into strategic and security concerns affecting the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, particularly in relation to India’s relationships with China and Pakistan.
