Cabinet Approval Relaxed for Certain International Instruments

On 18th February 2026, the Cabinet Secretariat, in terms of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, clarified that certain international instruments that do not involve binding financial implications or security risks will not require the prior approval of the Cabinet.

This change is a modification of the procedures governed by Rule 7 of the Second Schedule of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961.

This applies to international instruments including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Memoranda of Cooperation (MoCs), Protocols, Joint Declarations of Intent and Statements of Intent, among others.

The exemption applies where such instruments are proposed to be entered into during:

• an official visit of the Prime Minister to a foreign country or
• an official visit of a Head of State or Government of another country to India.

The Cabinet Secretariat clarified that the exemption would apply only where the following conditions are satisfied:

• The instrument must be vetted by the Legal and Treaties Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• The instrument must not create any binding financial implications.
• Inter-ministerial consultations must be carried out where necessary.
• The instrument must not include the word(s) “Treaty,” “Convention,” or “Agreement” in its title.

Although prior Cabinet approval was waived in such cases, the Ministry of External Affairs must place a Cabinet note every six months before the Cabinet for information, listing all international instruments signed under the relaxed procedure.

The Cabinet Secretariat also clarified that the relaxation procedure will not apply to international instruments that are required to be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), and for such instruments, the existing instructions will apply. Point 6 of Rule 6(1) First Schedule of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961, mentions the instruments to be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which include:

• Issues related to defence, law and order, and internal security.
• Foreign affairs policy that has security implications (internal or external), including cases relating to agreements with other countries on security-related issues.
• Economic and political issues impinging on national security.
• Manpower issues relating to national security.
• Matters relating to atomic energy.
• Security related expenses.