An Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Shri Harivansh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, is presently participating in the 153rd IPU Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. On 05 October 2026, the first day of the Assembly, Members of the Delegation participated in various meetings and engagements.
Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, MP, Lok Sabha and member of the IPU Committee on Health, participated in the sessions of the IPU Committee on Health.
Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Members of the Delegation also participated in the meetings of the Asia-Pacific Geopolitical Group. During the meeting, Smt. Aparajita Saranagi, MP, Lok Sabha and member of the IPU Executive Committee, briefed the group members about the recent activities and initiatives undertaken by the IPU Executive Committee.
The Forum of Women Parliamentarians also held its sessions during the day. In the first session, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, MP, Lok Sabha, participated in the debate on “Inclusive social development for all: Parliamentary strategies to promote the rights and empowerment of people living with disabilities” and articulated India’s point of view. Smt. Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MP, Lok Sabha, participated in the second session of the Forum on the theme “Women Leadership”.
Dr. Sasmit Patra, MP, Rajya Sabha, attended the meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.
Smt. Lata Wankhede, MP, Lok Sabha and a member of the IPU High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism (HLAG-CTVE), attended the Board meeting of the Group.
The Members of the Delegation led by Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, also held bilateral meetings with the following dignitaries and discussed issues of mutual interest:
I. H.E. Milton Dick, Speaker, House of Representatives, Australia
II. Rt. Hon’ble Mussa Azzan Zungu, Speaker of the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania
The Parliament of Tanzania also organised a formal inaugural ceremony of the 153rd IPU Assembly. The ceremony was addressed by H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who declared the 153rd Assembly open.
Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, and Members of Parliament, Smt. Aparajita Saranagi, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri N.K. Premachandran and Dr. Sasmit Patra, attended the inaugural ceremony and also interacted with various Ministers in the Government of Tanzania, including the Foreign Minister.
