 "P20 Summit 'mahakumbh' of parliamentary practices of the world, says PM Modi")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit, also referred to as P20, is the ‘mahakumbh’ of parliamentary practices of the world.
VIDEO | "I welcome you at the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) on behalf of 140 crore Indians. This Summit is like a 'Mahakumbh' of parliamentary practices from across the world," says PM Modi at 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/G9TIlD7tql
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2023
Addressing the two-day summit in New Delhi, PM Modi said, “I welcome you at the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) on behalf of 140 crore Indians. This Summit is like a ‘mahakumbh’ of parliamentary practices from across the world.”
He said this is a festive season in India, but this time, G20 maintained the excitement of festive season throughout the year.
“Across the year, we hosted G20 delegates in different cities of India. Because of this, there was an environment of festivity in those cities. After that, India landed on the Moon which increased the celebration,” said the Prime Minister.
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View AllPM Modi said P20 Summit is being held on the land of India, which is the mother of democracy, the world’s biggest democracy.
“This summit is also a medium to celebrate the power of the people of our country… Parliaments across the world are an important place for debate and deliberations…,” he said.
Talking about the elections in India, PM Modi said India’s parliamentary procedures have seen continued reforms over the time and these procedures have strengthened.
#WATCH | PM Modi at ninth P20 Summit in Delhi, says "In India, general elections are considered the biggest festival. Since independence, India has seen 17 general elections and more than 300 state assembly elections. India conducts not only the biggest election but the… pic.twitter.com/3c0sS7Yy5t
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023
“In India, general elections are considered the biggest festival. Since independence, India has seen 17 general elections and more than 300 state assembly elections. India conducts not only the biggest election but the participation of people has been continuously increasing. The 2019 general elections in India was the largest election exercise in human history - more than 600 million voters took part in this exercise. 70 per cent of voter turnout in the 2019 election shows the faith of people in parliamentary practices in India. In 2019, more than 600 political parties took part in the general elections,” he said.
He also invited all the delegates present at the summit to visit India to witness the general elections early next year.
“India has been using EVMs for over 25 years now to increase transparency and efficiency during elections. In 2024, during the general elections, around 100 crore or 1 billion voters are going to cast their votes. I invite all the delegates to visit India to witness the next general elections,” said PM Modi.
He said that today India promotes women’s participation in every sector and has set aside 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies as well.
“India has decided to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies. There are about 32 lakh elected representatives in local self-governance institutions in India. Out of these, about 50 per cent are women representatives. India today promotes women’s participation in every sector…Hundreds of languages are spoken in India. There are more than 900 TV channels in India in 28 languages… More than 33,000 different newspapers are published in about 200 languages…,” said the PM.
Talking about terrorism, he said Parliaments across the world and their representatives have to think on how to work together in this fight against the menace.
“India has been facing cross-border terrorism for many years now. Around 20 years ago, terrorists targeted our Parliament at the time when the session was on. The world is also realising how big a challenge terrorism is for the globe and that it is against humanity. Parliaments in the world and their representatives have to think on how to work together in this fight against terrorism…,” said the Prime Minister.
#WATCH | PM Modi at the ninth P20 Summit in Delhi, says "India has been facing cross-border terrorism for many years now. Around 20 years ago, terrorists targeted our Parliament at the time when the session was on. The world is also realising how big a challenge terrorism is for… pic.twitter.com/itDjZn3uQ8
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2023
He added, “A world full of conflicts and confrontation cannot benefit anyone. A divided world cannot give solutions to the challenges before us. This is a time for peace and brotherhood, a time to move together, a time to move forward together. This is the time for development and welfare of all.”
Addressing the summit earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the theme of the P20 Summit is ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
“We consider the world as a family…The vision of Mission Life put forward by PM Modi was discussed in the pre-summit yesterday. Delegations from several countries believe that protecting the environment is not a matter of a single country, it is the responsibility of all the countries. I am happy to announce that we got support from G20 counties for this mission…,” said the Speaker.
The event is being attended by Speakers of Parliaments of G20 members and invitee countries.
The Pan-African Parliament is also taking part in the P20 Summit for the first time after the African Union became a member of G20 at the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit last month.
The thematic sessions during this P20 Summit will focus on four subjects - transformation in people’s lives through public digital platforms, women-led development, accelerating SDGs and sustainable energy transition.
Following the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) a joint final statement is planned to be adopted.
With inputs from agencies
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