Indian MPs interact with British Parliamentarians

LONDON: A high-level Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar held a free flowing discussion here with British Parliamentarians on Women's issues.

The meeting, held in the Westminster yesterday, was chaired by Rt. Hon. Joan Ruddock MP which was attended by several MPs from across the political spectrum.

The parliamentarians exchanged views on the ongoing efforts to enhance the socio-economic and political rights of women in both the countries. They also shared views on the ongoing efforts to enhance the socio-economic and political rights of women in both the countries.

Earlier, Lord Speaker Baroness Helene Valerie Hayman warmly received the delegation yesterday. A luncheon was organised in honour of the visiting delegation.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Nalin Surie hosted a dinner in honour of the delegation last night.

Today, the delegation is slated to interact with the All Party Parliamentary Group on India and observe the Prime Minister's Questions and the proceedings of the House of Commons.

Before commencing the five-day visit here, Speaker Kumar attended the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Countries in the Isle of Man for two days from January 13.

Accompanied by five MPs and Secretary General T K Viswanathan, the delegation is on a bilateral visit at the invitation of the Right Honourable John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons to London.

The last bilateral visit by Indian Speaker was in 1997 when P A Sangma visited the UK.

The visit is to promote goodwill and enhance cooperation between the Westminster and Indian Parliament and also through the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The accompanying MPs, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Sanjay Nirupama, H D Kumaraswamy, K Sugumar and Dushyant Singh represent both the houses of the Indian Parliament and are from different political parties.

On Monday, Speaker Kumar was warmly received by Bercow and the two had a one-to-one meeting.

They discussed best parliamentary practices like the Question Hour, Calling Attention Motion and other matters of mutual and global interest.

Kumar extended a cordial invitation to Bercow to visit India which was readily accepted. Dates of the visit would be worked out through diplomatic channels.

Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch Sir Alan Haselhurst hosted a luncheon on Monday for the delegation.

Before leaving for India, the delegation would visit India House, where Kumar had earlier served on a diplomatic assignment.