NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary committee today recommended setting up of a new ‘Department of International Law’ to work as a nodal agency for creating a pool of legal experts to negotiate and draft international treaties, saying India too needs a “matching” expertise at international fora.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Personnel also said a new ‘Department of International Obligations and Implementations’ under the direct supervision of Prime Minister to monitor the implementation of New Delhi’s international obligations and commitments.
In its report ‘Role of Ministry of Law and Justice in framing/approving the provisions of international covenants /multilateral/bilateral treaties or agreements’, the committee said the Ministry of Law and Justice should be rechristened as ‘Ministry of International Law, Domestic Law and Justice’.
The panel said it has been the experience at international fora that developed countries are represented by large number of legal experts whereas Indian delegation is not supported by matching number of legal experts.
“The committee feels that our delegations are not adequately equipped to that extent. The committee wishes that at such occasions, we should have equally capable negotiating team…To instantly interpret provisions of negotiations and providing alternative formula…In the interest of the country,” said the report.
It said the need of the hour is to streamline the existing mechanism of handling all issues relating international cooperation and international legal obligations.(Agencies)
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