Commonwealth must change, adapt and grow: Lord Paul
From H S Rao
London, Oct 18 (PTI) Ahead of the CHOGM Summit in Sri Lanka next month, Lord Swraj Paul has said the Commonwealth should be more assertive in its diplomatic endeavours and it must change, adapt and grow so as not to be marginalised.
Participating in a debate in the House of Lords on ''The Future of the Commonwealth, in Light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka'', Lord Paul described it as "unique" and "invaluable asset" that can and should be "more vigorously employed" in contributing to the resolution of international issues.
Noting that the Commonwealth is at an interesting moment in its evolution, Lord Paul yesterday said, "to continue its mission it must change, adapt and grow. If it does not, it will become less relevant and marginalised."
"This is a fate that its distinguished record does not deserve and to which I hope next month''s gathering will give some serious consideration," he said, ahead of the November 15-17 Summit in Colombo.
"Nowadays international opinion is, at long last, beginning to have a serious influence on the behaviour of states. This is evident in the situation that prevails in the host country of next month''s meeting - Sri Lanka. It is as true with other countries hitherto impervious to world sentiment," the leading NRI industrialist said.
"So, I believe it is now both timely and appropriate for the Commonwealth, as a collective, to be more assertive in its diplomatic endeavours," he added.
"It becomes even more persuasive if the Commonwealth were to mobilise and utilise the services of its many elder statesmen whose credentials carry significant authority."
His remarks came hours after the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee accused the British government of pursuing a timid and inconsistent policy towards�Sri Lanka despite continuing human rights violations in the country.
International rights groups have said up to 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final offencive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the final months of Sri Lanka''s 26-year civil war in 2009, a charge denied by Colombo.
The Commonwealth is a grouping of 53 member states that were mostly part of the British colonial empire.
From H S RaoLondon, Oct 18 (PTI) Ahead of the CHOGM Summit in Sri Lanka next month, Lord Swraj Paul has said the Commonwealth should be more assertive in its diplomatic endeavours and it must change, adapt and grow so as not to be marginalised.
Participating in a debate in the House of Lords on ''The Future of the Commonwealth, in Light of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka'', Lord Paul described it as "unique" and "invaluable asset" that can and should be "more vigorously employed" in contributing to the resolution of international issues.
Noting that the Commonwealth is at an interesting moment in its evolution, Lord Paul yesterday said, "to continue its mission it must change, adapt and grow. If it does not, it will become less relevant and marginalised."
"This is a fate that its distinguished record does not deserve and to which I hope next month''s gathering will give some serious consideration," he said, ahead of the November 15-17 Summit in Colombo.
"Nowadays international opinion is, at long last, beginning to have a serious influence on the behaviour of states. This is evident in the situation that prevails in the host country of next month''s meeting - Sri Lanka. It is as true with other countries hitherto impervious to world sentiment," the leading NRI industrialist said.
"So, I believe it is now both timely and appropriate for the Commonwealth, as a collective, to be more assertive in its diplomatic endeavours," he added.
"It becomes even more persuasive if the Commonwealth were to mobilise and utilise the services of its many elder statesmen whose credentials carry significant authority."
His remarks came hours after the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee accused the British government of pursuing a timid and inconsistent policy towards�Sri Lanka despite continuing human rights violations in the country.
International rights groups have said up to 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final offencive against Tamil Tiger rebels in the final months of Sri Lanka''s 26-year civil war in 2009, a charge denied by Colombo.
The Commonwealth is a grouping of 53 member states that were mostly part of the British colonial empire.
