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Indian, Russian MPs to step up contacts

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW SEPT. 18. Indian and Russian lawmakers decided to intensify bilateral interaction to promote closer ties between the two countries. "We will meet annually in the framework of the Joint Inter-Parliamentary Commission and twice a year on the sidelines of the International

Parliamentary Union (IPU)," the Lok Sabha Speaker, Monahar Joshi, said after talks with Russian parliamentarians here.

While the Lok Sabha has friendship groups with the parliaments of eight other countries, it is only with Russia that it has a Joint Inter-Parliamentary Commission.

The commission was set up 1998, but has so far met only twice, in 2000 and this Wednesday. Mr. Joshi told Indian reporters here that he was extremely happy with the second meeting of Indian and Russian parliamentarians, which discussed bilateral trade and terrorism. It is not only the Russian Government, but the Russian Parliament too that lends full support to India on Kashmir, the Lok Sabha Speaker said.

As in the Lok Sabha, in the Russian Parliament all parties stand together on the issue of international terrorism. Our two countries speak in one voice on this problem.

Mr. Joshi, who is visiting Russia for the first time, was appreciative of the progress made by the young Russian democracy.

They have the same type of democracy we have.

A free press, independent judiciary and robust political atmosphere will instil a strong spirit of democracy in this country.

After inaugurating an exhibition of Indian art and embroidery in the Russian Parliament, Mr. Joshi, accompanied by seven Lok Sabha MPs, left for St. Petersburg today.

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