Camp Rome (Italy): Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Duarte Pacheco, President, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), today, during the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) being organised in Rome (Italy) and discussed various global issues.
On this occasion, Shri Birla said that India’s regular participation in global parliamentary fora speaks of her commitment to democratic institutions and democratic values. The Speaker told Mr. Pacheco that India is making efforts to ensure that there is seamless sharing of experiences, views and best practices among democratic countries and people’s representatives. Shri Birla added that in order to further strengthen this process, the Parliament of India has formed Friendship Groups with various countries. He stressed that India along with IPU is committed to promoting democratic values and building strong democratic institutions for the welfare of the people as both India and IPU strive for multilateralism and democratization of international institutions.
Referring to the Corona pandemic, Shri Birla said that controlling the severe impact of the pandemic and simultaneously ensuring economic growth are the biggest challenges before the developing countries, today. Shri Birla emphasized that this challenge can be overcome through collective and coordinated efforts. The Speaker highlighted that India has mitigated the impact of the pandemic to a great extent. So far, more than 930 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered to citizens of India. On September 17, 2021, more than 25 million people were vaccinated in India, which is a big achievement. He said that efforts are being made to increase vaccine production in India so that India can not only meet its domestic needs but contribute to the global efforts for vaccine supply as well.
Shri Birla informed the IPU President that India is celebrating the 75th year of her Independence this year as Azadi Ki Amrit Mahotsava and various programs are being organized across the country to mark this glorious occasion. Shri Birla expressed satisfaction that democracy in India has been strengthened in this journey of 75 years.
Shri Birla expressed confidence that under the able leadership of Mr. Pacheco, the IPU would emerge stronger, contributing significantly to the building of the new world order and paving the way for peace and prosperity through democratic values. He assured Mr. Pacheco that the Parliament of India would extend full cooperation in all his endeavors to promote parliamentary diplomacy in the world.