New Delhi: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) president Duarte Pacheco, addressed Members of Parliament in the Central Hall of the Parliament House on Tuesday. This was the first visit of Mr. Duarte Pacheco, as IPU President, to India.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, and representatives from diplomatic community were present.
Welcoming Mr Duarte Pacheco, Mr Om Birla mentioned that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has always given priority to global peace and opposed to expansionism and terrorism. India has played an active role in post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation works in several countries. India is also actively working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On improving governance and transparency measures, Mr. Birla said that digital governance and use of ICT tools by Government and Parliament has strengthened the democratic process.
He said that progressive steps have been taken by the Parliament and state legislatures in the direction of making them paperless. India is also contributing towards capacity building of other parliaments, he emphasized.
On the role of democratic countries and the IPU, Mr Birla reemphasized that no Parliament should discuss on laws passed in other parliaments and issues which are internal to other sovereign countries. National parliaments must respect the sovereignty of other countries.
Regarding the challenge of COVID19, the Speaker emphasized that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has played a leadership role of a responsible international partner. India has supplied COVID related treatment materials to more than 150 countries and it has deployed rapid response teams in several countries to tackle the COVID19.
Congratulating the IPU President, Mr. Duarte Pacheco, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Mt Harivansh said that parliamentarians as the representatives of the people are in a unique position to influence their Governments and shape public opinion on issues of contemporary times.
He said that the global challenges call for cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders including Parliaments to address them effectively. He was happy to note that IPU provides an ideal platform to parliamentarians to meet periodically and discuss such important issues, besides exchanging views on best parliamentary practices. He mentioned that Indian Parliament and its Members had always been active in sensitizing the governments as well as the people at large about such issues as – global warming and climate change, environmental protection, peace and security, extremism and terrorism, gender disparity, socio-economic inequalities and sustainable development.
In his address, IPU President, Mr. Duarte Pacheco thanked India for the support in the IPU election. He further said that in him India has a special friend in the IPU who is ready to work side by side with India and its Parliament. India and Portugal have very close relations saying, “We are not just friends, we are brothers.”, the IPU President said.
He also spoke about the pressing global challenges and how to win against the COVID 19 pandemic; and its social, economic consequences. Mr. Pacheco added that India, as the world’s largest democracy, is respected and seen as an example by other countries. The commitment of India to Democratic values is a reality and can be seen every day. “India is an example for the world, because you don’t only look out for your own welfare but also the entire world.”, Mr. Duarte Pacheco said.
India has achieved a huge economic and social development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the IPU President said. Shri Pacheco also renewed Portugal’s support for India’s permanent membership of UNSC, saying that Portugal supports UN reform process.
India stands for global peace, opposes terrorism: LS Speaker
