India becomes member of Hague Conference on Private International La

New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) The Union Cabinet tonight approved India becoming a member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

''The issues dealt with and the conventions adopted by the Hague Conference are of great practical relevance to India in view of its large diaspora, increasing trade relations and travel abroad by Indian citizens,'' Information and Broadcasting Minsiter Ranjan Dasmunsi told mediapersons after a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

As a member state, India would be entitled to participate in all the meetings and coferences.

India would also have a role in deciding on the future work programme.

The Hague conference on Private International Law is an inter-governmental organisation.

The main purpose of the conference is to work for the progressive unification of the rules of Private International Law by finding internationally agreed approaches to issues such as jurisdication of courts, application OF law, and recognition and enforcement of judgements in a wide range of areas such as commercial laws, international civil procedures and matters relating to child protection, marriage and personsal issues. At present, it has 65 memebr states.

UNI