British MPs delegation to visit Bengal, Assam

Kolkata, Feb 16 (IANS) A 10-member delegation of British parliamentarians will be meeting lawmakers in West Bengal and Assam beginning Tuesday to strengthen bilateral co-operation and ties, a statement said Monday.

The delegation comprising members from the British parliament's two houses - House of Lords and the House of Commons -will be led by Baroness D'Souza, the lord speaker of the upper house.

They will visit Kolkata and Guwahati to strengthen links and co-operation between Indian and British lawmakers after a series of meetings in Delhi Monday, according to release from the British Deputy High Commission here.

The delegation will call on the chief ministers of West Bengal and Assam during their visit.

In Kolkata and Guwahati, the British delegation will have interactive sessions with elected representatives from the West Bengal (Feb 17-18) and Assam (Feb 19-20) legislative assemblies.

"The visiting parliamentarians are keen to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by their Indian colleagues on various fronts including the relationship between business, civil society and elected representatives; the representation of women in political life and progress towards achieving gender equality in politics and relationship between the union and state legislatures," the release said.

This apart, the visiting delegation will also have meetings with trade and industry leaders, see first-hand civil society at work and interact with social activists, and engage in joint work on environment issues.

"A priority for the visiting delegation is to learn how India is dealing with issues of international concern including tackling climate change and developing climate smart cities and promoting renewable energy, advancing women and girl's rights and the work towards ensuring food security," the statement said.

The visitors are keen to explore pro-growth and sustainable initiatives being taken to achieve these objectives.

"While in Guwahati, the delegation will also attend a UK-supported seminar on India Burma Young Leaders Dialogue and pay their tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives in the World Wars at the CWGC Gauhati War Cemetery," the release said.