Question : INDO-CHINA AGREEMENT ON EARTHQUAKE PREDICTION

(a) whether with last year`s Kutch disaster as a role model, India and China are analyzing the seismic data to find out if any technique could be developed to predict earthquakes in the region;

(b) if so, whether a delegation headed by the Vice-President of the Geological Society of China visited India to discuss the data since the quake had extended to Chinese territory;

(c) if so, whether any agreement have been signed in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps being taken to implement them?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT)


(a) No, Sir.

(b to e) A delegation headed by the Vice-President of Geological Society of China visited India for participation in a joint Indo-China Workshop on Natural Disaster Mitigation held in New Delhi during 21-23rd January 2002. Earthquake Disaster Mitigation is identified as one of the area for possible collaboration between the two countries under the existing bilateral programme of cooperation in S&T. Based on the recommendations of the workshop, formulation of specific projects, have been initiated.