International issues should be resolved through mutual dialogue and diplomacy: Lok Sabha Speaker

Guwahati: Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla, who arrived in Guwahati yesterday, inaugurated the mid-year Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee Meeting, today.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Birla reiterated the belief that international issues should be resolved through mutual dialogue and diplomacy. He added that international peace and stability are essential for global prosperity. Referring to climate change, Shri Birla emphasized India’s commitment towards achieving the targets approved under COP26. He mentioned initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and expressed confidence about achieving the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Shri Birla further said that India is a strong votary of democracy and democratic values. Indian democracy is not only ancient but strong, mature and vibrant, said Shri Birla. Democracy is in our thoughts and actions and has become a way of life, the Speaker further added. Mentioning about Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, he said that during these 75 years of our Independence, our democracy has consistently gone from strength to strength. Confidence of our people on democracy has increased over the period of time, said Shri Birla.

Highlighting India’s success in conducting elections from panchayat to Parliament, the Speaker said that our perseverance and success in conducting elections to 800 parliamentary seats, nearly 4500 assembly seats and 2.75 lakh panchayats testify that Indian democracy is functional, progressive and successful. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India has emerged as a prosperous and developed country, observed Shri Birla.

Emphasizing that unity in diversity is India’s greatest strength, Lok Sabha Speaker said that we are all united despite our linguistic, cultural, geographical and religious diversities. He also observed that the democratic institutions of the Commonwealth countries are capable of withstanding any challenge. Shri Birla said that these countries should work with the collective goal of welfare of  humanity.

Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, said that it was a historic day for Assam as it was for the first time that the Mid-Year Executive Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is being held in India. In the democratic set up of our country, Assam Legislative Assembly, is one of the oldest in India, second only to Uttar Pradesh Assembly, observed the Chief Minister.

Remembering Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, who was the first Premier of Assam, the Chief Minister said that during last eight decades, Assam Legislative Assembly has witnessed many historic debates with several towering personalities adorning this temple of democracy. Mentioning about the role of the Assembly in the State’s development, the Chief Minister said that Assam Legislative Assembly has played a pioneering role in shaping the socio-cultural and academic edifice of the State while giving a major push to Assam’s development narrative. The Assembly has passed many historic bills leading to unprecedented changes into people’s lives, highlighted the Chief Minister.

Acting Chairperson of CPA, Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP, UK enumerated several path breaking initiatives of CPA and hoped that the deliberations of the mid-year Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee in Guwahati would go a long way in shaping strategies for global issues.  

Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Shri Biswajit Daimary, delivered Vote of Thanks.

Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ministers of Government of Assam, Members of Legislative Assembly, Secretary General Lok Sabha Shri Utpal Kumar Singh and other dignitaries participated in the event. 

CPA Executive Committee met physically in Guwahati after three years due the COVID pandemic. 53 delegates from Commonwealth countries participated in the meeting physically and digitally. 

On his arrival, Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla, inspected a Guard of Honour.