Govt to make statement on foreign policy issues soon in LS

NEW DELHI: The Centre will soon make a statement on its foreign policy initiatives after the Opposition in Lok Sabha today moved an adjournment motion seeking a debate on the crucial matter.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was busy with visiting Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and hence was not present in the House.

"We have taken note of the concerns of the House and will convey to the External Affairs Minister and a response will be given to the House at the earliest," he said in Lok Sabha.

Naidu's statement came after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan dismissed a notice for adjournment of the Question Hour by Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy seeking a debate on the NDA government's foreign policy initiatives.

The move came a day after National Security Advisor A K Doval met his Pakistani counterpart Lt Gen (Retd) Nasir Khan Janjua in Bangkok and discussed "peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir and other issues including tranquility along the LoC".

The Speaker also dismissed a few other adjournment motions seeking discussion on issues like price rise, alleged fake encounter in Punjab.