Question : ASSISTANCE BY U.S. FOR TSUNAMI DISASTER

(a) whether a delegation of U.S. congressmen led by Senate majority leader Bill Frist, who is also part of the India caucus, took stock of Indo-U.S. relations and the extent of cooperation to deal with the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster during a meeting with the Indian Leaders;

(b) if so, the main points discussed therein and the outcome thereof;

(c) the extent to which both India and U.S. have agreed to work jointly to meet the situation that has arisen out of the Tsunami disaster in various countries; and

(d) the extent of U.S. help and assistance agreed to for all the countries including India to meet the situation that has arisen out of the damage caused in various parts of the country due to Tsunami?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

a) Yes Sir. A U.S. Senate delegation led by Majority Leader Senator Bill Frist visited New Delhi on 10 January 2005. The delegation called on the Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Health Minister.

b) Issues discussed during various meetings included the expansion of the emerging strategic partnership between India and the United States and our converging interests on various regional and global issues. Relief efforts in the aftermath of the Tsunami disaster were also a subject of exchange of views.

c) India and the United States coordinated closely to respond to the Tsunami disaster. Along with Japan and Australia, and later Canada and the Netherlands, they comprised a Core Group to coordinate disaster relief efforts, prioritise needs, avoid duplication and complement each other`s capabilities.

d) The US Government has committed itself to an assistance programme of $ 950 million covering Tsunami-affected countries. In addition, it is reported that $ 337 million was raised by charity organisations in the US for such relief efforts.