Nairobi (Kenya), Jan 16 (FN Agency) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said India and Kenya share common perspective in fight against terrorism, and urged for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism for peace and development. The Speaker, who is leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to Kenya and Tanzania, made the statement during their meeting with Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. India and Kenya have historically close relations and both the countries have fought against colonialism, he added. Mentioning about India and Kenya cooperation at United Nations, Birla called for closer cooperation between the two countries in the global fora. Referring to India’s G20 Presidency, the Speaker emphasised priorities of India’s G20 stint and assured that India will make efforts to include concerns of Global South in G20 framework. Stressing on collective efforts to contain climate change, Birla said that India has already taken the initiative of ‘International Solar Alliance’ and is working with the objective harnessing energy from renewable sources.
The delegation also discussed about expanding trade, economic and cultural relations between the two countries and for enhancing people to people contact, a statement said. Birla also called on his Kenyan counterpart Moses Masika Wetangula. On this occasion, the Speaker outlined the importance of Parliament as the focal point in the developing relations between the two nations. He also emphasised that the India-Kenya ‘Parliamentary Friendship Group’ is an important forum for close interaction between legislators from both countries. Birla added that India encourages strong parliamentary relations between the two countries. “The top-level visits between the two countries have not only enhanced cooperation in traditional areas, but have also helped in exploring new opportunities to strengthen ties,” he said. The Speaker also invited Wetangula to visit India.