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Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) - Lakshmikanth Summary UPSC Notes

Amith

Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG)

✅ Rationale / Purpose of the Group

M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher explain why this group was formed and why it is important:

🌍 Why is IPG important?

  1. Global Connections Between Parliaments:

    • Every country's parliament builds relations with others.

    • This has become more important as countries are now more connected in a globalised world.

  2. Joint Efforts by Parliamentarians:

    • MPs across the world must work together to protect democracy.

    • They must also find common solutions to problems like climate change, war, poverty, etc.

  3. A Platform for Discussion:

    • IPG provides a space where lawmakers from different countries can meet.

    • It encourages free and frank discussions (unlike government-level meetings that are more formal).

    • This leads to exchange of ideas between:

      • Old and new parliaments

      • Different parliamentary systems

  4. Facing Common Problems:

    • A problem in one country today may happen in another tomorrow.

    • So, building links between parliaments helps in sharing experiences and solutions.

🔁 How does India maintain this link?

  • Through the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG).

  • The IPG acts as:

    1. National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

    2. India Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)

  • It promotes:

    • Delegation exchanges

    • Goodwill missions

    • Communication through letters and documents

In Simple Words:

The IPG connects Indian MPs with other countries’ MPs to share ideas, solve common issues, and promote peace and democracy worldwide.

🧱 Composition of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG)

🗓️ Formation:

  • Formed in 1949.

  • Created by a motion passed in the Constituent Assembly (Legislative).

  • It is an autonomous body (independent in functioning).

👥 Membership:

Type of Member Eligibility Rights/Restrictions
Regular Members All sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) Full rights – can participate in IPU & CPA meetings, get travel concessions.
Associate Members Former MPs Limited rights – cannot attend IPU/CPA meetings, no CPA travel concessions.

👔 Key Office-Bearers (Ex-officio):

Position Office Held In IPG
Speaker of Lok Sabha President of the IPG
Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Vice-President of the IPG
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Vice-President of the IPG
Secretary-General of Lok Sabha Secretary-General of the IPG

📝 In Simple Words:

  • The IPG is like a club for MPs to connect globally.

  • It includes current and former MPs (with different rights).

  • The top leaders of Parliament automatically hold leadership roles in the group.

🎯 Objectives of the IPG – Simplified with Example

  1. To build friendship among Indian MPs
    👉 Helps MPs from different parties/states interact personally.
    📝 Example: During the "All-Party Meeting" on major national issues like Manipur violence, MPs get to know each other better.

  2. To study public issues that may come up in Parliament
    👉 Prepares MPs to understand key matters before discussions begin.
    📝 Example: Before the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, such groups helped in creating awareness and training MPs.

  3. To conduct seminars, discussions, and training sessions for MPs
    👉 Improves knowledge and skills of parliamentarians.
    📝 Example: Seminars on Artificial Intelligence in governance or India’s G20 presidency were arranged for MPs recently.

  4. To organize lectures by experts and senior leaders
    👉 MPs learn from experienced voices about politics, economy, defence, and social matters.
    📝 Example: Experts gave talks on "India’s stand on Israel-Palestine Conflict" for better global understanding.

  5. To arrange foreign visits to connect with other parliaments
    👉 Builds India's image and strengthens ties with other countries.
    📝 Example: Indian MPs visited UK and ASEAN countries in 2024 to discuss climate change and education reforms.

🛠️ Functions of the Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) – Simplified

  1. Connects Indian Parliament with world parliaments
    ➤ Helps MPs from India stay in touch with MPs from other countries.
    📝 Example: Indian MPs went to attend the IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) conference in Rwanda.

  1. Acts as official Indian body for two global groups:

    • IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) – for worldwide parliamentary cooperation

    • CPA (Commonwealth Parliamentary Association) – for Commonwealth countries
      📝 Example: Indian MPs attend CPA conferences hosted in UK or Canada through IPG.

  1. Organizes speeches by foreign leaders in Indian Parliament
    ➤ When global leaders visit India, IPG arranges their address to MPs.
    📝 Example: When US President Obama visited India in 2015, such a speech was arranged.

  1. Holds seminars on important topics for MPs
    ➤ Discusses current issues like digital lawmaking, climate change, etc.
    📝 Example: A seminar was held on “Women in Parliament” during G20 presidency.

  1. Gives MPs letters of introduction for foreign visits
    ➤ Helps MPs get recognition and support abroad through IPU/CPA.
    📝 Example: If an Indian MP visits Australia, IPG writes to their parliament to support and welcome.

  1. Only senior members (6 months in IPG) can go on foreign visits
    ➤ Ensures experienced MPs represent India internationally.
    📝 Example: A new MP can't immediately go on a delegation unless they’ve been in IPG for 6+ months.

  1. Publishes a quarterly newsletter
    ➤ Keeps MPs updated on meetings, foreign visits, and awards.
    📝 Example: The newsletter tells MPs about upcoming events like an IPU conference in Geneva.

  1. Gives “Outstanding Parliamentarian Award” every year
    ➤ Recognizes MPs for excellent performance. Started in 1995.
    📝 Example: Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley received this award.

  1. Creates Parliamentary Friendship Groups with other countries
    ➤ Helps strengthen India’s political and cultural ties with other nations.
    📝 Example: India–Japan Friendship Group promotes cooperation in tech, education, and legislation.

🌍 Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

🏛️ What is IPU?

  • IPU = Inter-Parliamentary Union – a global organization of national parliaments.

  • It has 179 member countries.

  • It promotes peace, democracy, and cooperation through dialogue between parliaments.

🎯 Main Purpose of IPU:

  • To help parliaments learn from each other.

  • To discuss international issues (climate change, conflicts, human rights).

  • To strengthen democracy globally.

  • To guide parliaments on improving laws and systems.

🤝 How IPG is Related to IPU:

  • The Indian Parliamentary Group (IPG) acts as India's official representative in the IPU.

  • So, all IPU work in India is done through the IPG.

✅ Benefits of IPG’s Membership in IPU (In Simple Points + Examples)

  1. Builds international relationships
    ➤ Indian MPs meet and connect with MPs from other countries.
    📝 Example: An Indian MP attending the IPU Assembly in Geneva talks with MPs from Europe and Africa.

  2. Learn about global reforms
    ➤ Indian MPs learn how other countries are updating their parliaments/laws.
    📝 Example: Learning how Finland uses AI in law-making or how Brazil fights corruption in politics.

  3. Chance to meet visiting MPs in India
    ➤ When foreign MPs come to India, IPG members can interact and exchange ideas.
    📝 Example: During G20 2023, Indian MPs met their counterparts from Japan, USA, UK.

  4. Participate in global conferences
    ➤ IPG members go abroad to represent India in IPU conferences.
    📝 Example: Indian MPs attended the 147th IPU Assembly in Angola in 2023.

🏆 India’s Leadership in IPU:

  • Indian MPs have held important posts in IPU:

    • Rapporteurs (those who write and present official reports)

    • Committee Chairpersons

    • Members of drafting groups
      📝 Example: An Indian MP being elected to IPU’s Human Rights Committee.

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