The Commonwealth is a multi-racial, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious association of sovereign nations encompassing within its fold almost a quarter of the world’s population spread across all the continents. Despite diversities, the Commonwealth remains a well-knit international organisation deriving strength from its belief that international cooperation is essential to remove causes of war, promote tolerance, combat injustice and secure development among the peoples of the world.
For India, an independent sovereign democratic republic, the decision to continue with its membership of the Commonwealth was strictly in conformity with our age old vision of a global society - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. After independence, Jawaharlal Nehru conceived for the Commonwealth the role of a formidable force on the side of peace. For us, more than anything else, the Commonwealth is an essay in international understanding and cooperation and a remarkable experiment in international living and a free and voluntary grouping among nations, based on mutual respect and understanding, and cooperation in the common interest of all peoples. Our association with the Commonwealth is based on our belief that the fate of all nations is inextricably linked-either we flourish together or perish together.
Our great saints, philosophers and leaders had conceived of a society that is in harmony with itself and its environs; of a world that believes in peaceful co-existence. Such a community is ultimately possible not by specific political arrangements or economic alliances alone but by an understanding of the cultures of the different peoples and by sharing each others problems at different levels.
CPA is an association of the Parliaments and Provincial Legislatures of the Commonwealth countries which, cutting across social, religious, cultural and linguistic diversities, are united by community of interests, commonality of parliamentary institutions, respect for the rule of law and individual rights and freedoms and commitment to world peace.
This Conference of eminent parliamentarians from all over the globe will provide us an opportunity to view things in a broader perspective, with the object of evolving consensus on issues confronting us today for the benefit of mankind as a whole as well as for the common benefit of the countries in the Commonwealth.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India