Trivedi proposes formation of Bangladesh-India Parliamentary Friendship Group

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi has proposed the formation of “Bangladesh-India Parliamentary Friendship Group” to enhance mutual communication and cooperation between the parliamentarians of the two neighbours.

He made the proposal while briefing reporters after separate meetings with Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, Dinesh Trivedi said the parliament members from Bangladesh and India can communicate and exchange views regularly through a friendship group, reaching above their party positions.

Through this, the relations between the people of the two countries will be further strengthened and the continuity of ‘people-to-people contact’ will be maintained, he said.

The Indian envoy said he feels very happy and honoured to be at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, known as the 'Temple of Democracy'.

“The aspirations of commoners are reflected in Parliament. In any democratic country, including India and Bangladesh, the common people look up to the Parliament,” he said.

He lauded the architecture and natural environment of Sangsad Bhaban, saying the building is very beautiful.

Dinesh Trivedi said the reservoir and natural environment around it reminded him of the poet Rabindranath Tagore's thought, Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high'.

About the outcomes of meetings with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, he said very fruitful discussions were held with both of them.

Talks were also held on how to work more closely between the parliament members of Bangladesh and India, the Indian envoy said.

Dinesh Trivedi mentioned that he had spoken to Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, Om Birla, in the morning and Om Birla extended his greetings to the Speaker of Bangladesh.

He also said the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Bangladesh will be invited to visit India and visit the 'Temple of Democracy' - the Parliament Building of India.

He said the parliamentarians of different political parties of the two countries can participate in the proposed friendship group between the parliamentarians of Bangladesh and India, transcending party divisions.

The high commissioner said politics will continue in their own ways, but the parliament is an institution representing the people.

Referring to such contact between the parliaments of the two countries as a continuous process, he said such initiatives will also be taken formally from the Indian side.

Dinesh Trivedi also informed the journalists about the digitisation of the parliament.

He said a huge amount of information on parliamentary activities, including the library of the Indian Parliament, has been digitised.

As a result, he said, the parliamentarians can easily view the necessary documents, agendas of the sessions and old speeches through smartphones.

It is possible to find the speech of a specific date, topic or person by pressing a button, he said.

Replying to a question, the Indian envoy said there is alternative to talks in democracy. “Talks are like a flowing river - it keeps going. It has no end. The process of democracy will also continue like this.”

Responding to another query regarding the possible visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister to India, Dinesh Trivedi said this issue depends on the decision and jurisdiction of the Bangladesh premier.

He described the Bangladesh Prime Minister as a very intelligent and people-friendly person.

The Indian envoy said if the intentions of both sides in the relations are towards public welfare-oriented, then positive results will come.

Earlier, Dinesh Trivedi met Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal separately at their respective offices.

During the meeting, various issues of parliamentary relations, strengthening of democratic institutions and mutual cooperation between the two countries were discussed.