Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed Madagascar’s Parliamentary delegation, emphasizing India’s strong partnership with Madagascar. He discussed the historical relationship, India’s humanitarian efforts, and the importance of democracy in India. Birla proposed capacity-building programs to enhance parliamentary cooperation, while Tokely expressed gratitude for India’s hospitality and spoke of potential cooperation in various sectors.
On Wednesday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed a Parliamentary delegation from Madagascar, led by President of the National Assembly H.E. Justin Tokely, emphasizing India’s regard for Madagascar as a cherished ally. He noted that Madagascar is a crucial partner within the Indian Ocean region under the “SAGAR” vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region), which fosters regional stability and economic prosperity.
Birla highlighted the historical strength of the India-Madagascar relationship, characterized by centuries of trade, culture, and interaction. He reiterated India’s commitment to mutual development, particularly in offering humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and engaging in socio-economic projects.
He acknowledged the Indian Diaspora’s role in enhancing bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the successful Jaipur Foot Camp in Madagascar, which provided artificial limbs to many individuals. Birla also underscored India’s long-standing democratic traditions that reinforce its identity as the world’s largest democracy.
In discussing democratic engagement, Birla shared that voter turnout in the 2024 elections reached nearly 66 percent, indicating increasing participation in the democratic process. He briefed the delegation on the functioning of the Indian Parliament and emphasized the importance of capacity-building programs provided by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).
Birla expressed his desire to create training programs tailored for Madagascar’s parliamentarians, emphasizing the benefits of knowledge exchange through regular parliamentary delegations. In response, Tokely thanked Birla for the hospitality shown by the Indian Parliament and expressed aspirations for enhanced cooperation across various sectors including agriculture, maritime security, health, and education.
This meeting marks a significant step in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Madagascar, emphasizing mutual cooperation in various fields. The ongoing support from India, particularly in humanitarian assistance and development projects, reflects a deep commitment to fostering growth and stability in the region. The discussions also highlighted the importance of democratic engagement and capacity-building in enhancing parliamentary processes.
Original Source: thenewsmill.com
