Demonetisation: FS meets Dean of Diplomatic Corps to discussed issues raised by foreign Missions

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Thursday held a detailed discussion with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps about the problems faced by some Embassies in the context of the demonetisation of high value notes.

"Today Foreign Secretary had a very constructive and fruitful meeting with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. We had a very detailed discussion on the kind of issues that the diplomatic missions are facing and what we could do to minimise the inconvenience to them," said Vikas Swarup, official spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, here during his weekly media briefing.

"We have already taken measures and we have also agreed to see what more we can do to minimise the inconvenience. But we are greatly heartened by the comment of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. The vast majority of mission do fully understand and appreciate the decision of the Government of India and long-term benefits of that. And I am sure that they would bear with us the temporary inconveniences that would arise as a result," he said, while replying to a question.

Our time-tested friends Russians are speaking in the same voice as the Pakistanis how do you see this development?

He said the ministry has been in discussion with concerned authorities in the Government on this matter. "The Finance Ministry, as a consequence, is being asked to issue directives to banks to allow Embassy officials with identity cards to withdraw money on a priority basis. We appreciate learning from the Dean that the vast majority of foreign Missions understand that the demonetisation exercise is being conducted to combat the menace of black money and tax avoidance. We are confident that the Missions would bear with the temporary difficulties that arise in that process, even as we seek to address their concerns," he added.