Cape Town: Parliamentary engagement between India, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago featured prominently during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh holding separate meetings with Hon. Jagdeo Singh, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago, and Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Parliament of South Africa.

On the sidelines of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh met Hon. Jagdeo Singh, with the two sides exchanging views on strengthening parliamentary engagement and cooperation. The meeting brought together representatives of the legislatures of India and Trinidad and Tobago, with parliamentary exchanges forming an important channel for engagement between the two countries.

The High Commission of India in South Africa said the two parliamentarians discussed strengthening parliamentary engagement and cooperation between both sides. The meeting took place as a Rajya Sabha delegation led by the Deputy Chairman participated in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, bringing together parliamentary representatives from across the Commonwealth.

“They exchanged views on strengthening parliamentary engagement and cooperation between both sides.”

Shri Harivansh Narayan Singh also called on Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of South Africa’s NCOP, during the conference. The interaction highlighted the close and longstanding parliamentary ties between India and South Africa, while the two sides discussed the importance of strengthening cooperation and exchanges between their respective legislatures.

The meeting was part of India’s continuing parliamentary engagement with South Africa, where historical and people-to-people links have provided a strong foundation for bilateral relations. Parliamentary exchanges offer another avenue for the two countries to share institutional experiences and maintain regular contact between their legislatures.