Tripura Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Pal Addresses Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Workshop in Cape Town
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, September 15, 2026
Tripura Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Pal addressed the Host Branch Workshop on the third day of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) 2026, currently being held in Cape Town, South Africa.
The workshop focused on the theme, “Promoting Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue for Inclusive Fair Trade in Diverse Economies, Addressing Inequality and Underdevelopment in the Commonwealth and Beyond.” The session brought together parliamentarians from Commonwealth countries to discuss the role of parliamentary dialogue and international cooperation in promoting inclusive economic development.
Sharing details of his participation on social media, Pal said he had the opportunity to speak during the important discussion and highlighted the need for a fair, transparent, inclusive and rules-based international trading system.
Focus on Trade and Inclusive Development
In his address, the Tripura Deputy Speaker underlined the critical role that international trade can play in accelerating economic growth in developing countries. He pointed out that a well-functioning and equitable trading system can contribute to employment generation, poverty reduction, economic expansion and sustainable development.
Pal also stressed that the benefits of international trade should extend beyond headline export figures and contribute directly to improving the lives of ordinary people.
According to his remarks, the real measure of successful trade lies in its ability to create jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and open up new economic opportunities for people across different sections of society.
A significant part of Pal’s intervention focused on India's experience with trade-led economic development and the country's efforts to strengthen its productive and competitive capabilities.
He referred to a range of initiatives undertaken in India, including Startup India, Make in India, Skill India, Digital Public Infrastructure, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and PM Gati Shakti.
These initiatives, he said, have contributed to strengthening India's economic capabilities, expanding production and services, improving skills and infrastructure, and enhancing the country's position in the increasingly competitive global economy.
Pal presented India's experience as an example of how economic reforms, domestic production capacity, technological development and improved connectivity can work together to support broader economic transformation.
At the same time, Pal drew attention to the specific challenges confronting developing and least developed countries.
He emphasised the importance of safeguarding food security, livelihoods, rural development and policy space, arguing that international trade policies should take into account the different levels of development and economic circumstances of individual countries.
The discussion therefore went beyond the question of expanding trade volumes and addressed the broader challenge of ensuring that the international trading system supports inclusive and sustainable development.
Strengthening Commonwealth Cooperation
Pal also called for stronger economic cooperation among Commonwealth nations through increased trade, investment, knowledge exchange, connectivity and South-South Cooperation.
He argued that closer collaboration among Commonwealth countries could create greater opportunities for mutual economic growth and prosperity, particularly by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, expertise and development experiences between countries at different stages of economic development.
The discussions at the Cape Town conference provided parliamentarians with an international platform to exchange perspectives on economic inequality, underdevelopment and the future of global trade.
Reflecting on the broader significance of the discussion, Pal said the success of trade should not be judged solely by the growth of exports.
He emphasised that the more important questions are whether trade is creating employment, reducing poverty, narrowing inequality and generating opportunities for people at every level of society.
Pal described his participation in the international parliamentary forum as a matter of pride and an opportunity to exchange views with parliamentarians from different countries.
He said he was proud to have represented India's development experience and placed India's perspective on inclusive development and a more equitable global economic system before an international audience at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town.
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