A three-member Indian delegation of MPs on Tuesday attended a regional conference in Pakistan to develop sourcing ties between the two countries, The Hindustan Times reported.
The Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) conference held in Murree was attended by Shashi Tharoor, Meenakshi Lekhi and Swapan Dasgupta.
The Indian lawmakers’ visit came at a time when bilateral contacts and exchange of visits have stalled after the Uri terror attack and India boycotted the SAARC Summit hosted by Pakistan.
The conference, attended by 23 Asian countries and scheduled to conclude on March 17, is being held to discuss closer cooperation and creation of Asian parliament on the pattern of European Union.
Addressing the participants, Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said Asia must decide its own destiny and white racism and western imperialism were not going to solve its problems.
“We represent the people who are suffering, undernourished, are the object of poverty and victim of terrorism. If we were unable to find an indigenous solution for the problems of our own people history will not forgive us,” Rabbani remarked.
“We should learn to bury the hatchet and move forward for the collective good,” said Rabbani.
He said Asia was a land of natural resources, which were being exploited by western imperialism. “Asia still continues to suffer through neo-colonialism,” he added.
Pointing out the changing world after US presidential elections and Brexit, he hoped the meeting would produce good results.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his address emphasised the need for working together for achieving the desired goal of regional peace, development and prosperity.
He said APA member states should intervene for a peaceful solution of all outstanding disputes in accordance with the UN resolution and as per aspirations of the people.
He also said the CPEC will not only benefit China and Pakistan but will have a positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asia and the entire region.
