A parliamentary delegation from Madagascar, led by President of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Justin Tokely, called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the Parliament House on Wednesday. The meeting underscored the strong and historic ties between India and Madagascar, with both nations reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized that India considers Madagascar a cherished and reliable friend, as well as a steadfast partner in its journey of progress. He highlighted that under India’s “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision, Madagascar plays a crucial role as a key ally in the Indian Ocean region, contributing to regional stability and economic prosperity.
Birla added that India and Madagascar share a centuries-old history of trade, culture, and mutual interaction, and India has always been at the forefront in providing assistance to its neighbors, especially during times of crisis, guided by the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also highlighted India’s proactive role in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to Madagascar. He pointed out that India has supported various development projects in Madagascar, demonstrating its commitment to mutually beneficial growth.
Birla acknowledged the significant contribution of the Indian diaspora in Madagascar in strengthening bilateral ties and expressed happiness over the successful organization of the first ‘Jaipur Foot Camp’ in Madagascar, where hundreds of differently-abled individuals were provided with artificial limbs.
Discussing India’s democratic traditions, Birla described India as the world’s oldest and largest democracy, referring to it as the ‘Mother of Democracy’. He highlighted that even thousands of years ago, India had democratic institutions that made collective decisions for the people.
He also said that India’s increasing voter participation, noting that since the first general election in 1952, voter turnout has steadily increased, reaching nearly 66% in the 2024 elections. This, he stated, reflects the growing engagement and faith of the Indian people in the democratic process.
The Madagascar delegation was also briefed on the functioning of the Indian Parliament, including the Budget Session process. Birla introduced them to the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) and expressed hope that PRIDE’s capacity-building programs would benefit Madagascar’s parliamentarians.
He further proposed customized training programs for Madagascar’s lawmakers and officials, emphasizing that regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations would help both nations learn from each other’s legislative traditions.
Expressing his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Indian Parliament, President of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Justin Tokely, thanked Speaker Birla for inviting the delegation to India.
Tokely admired India’s economic growth and dominance in technology, noting that both countries share common interests in agriculture, maritime security, health, and education. He expressed hope for closer economic cooperation, parliamentary collaboration, and cultural exchange between India and Madagascar.
The Madagascar delegation, which arrived in India on Monday, also attended the Lok Sabha proceedings on Wednesday. Speaker Om Birla welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Members of the House, further strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between the two nations.
(Inputs from ANI)
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