Rajiv Pratap Rudy takes over as Chair of FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians

Dec 10, 2021

NEW DELHI, 10 December 2021: Dr Jyotsna Suri and Mr Harshavardhan Neotia, Co-Chairs of FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians, yesterday organised a welcome reception for the Incoming Chair of FICCI Forum of Parliamentarians, Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Member of Parliament and National Spokesperson, BJP.

Mr Bhupender Yadav, Union Cabinet Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; Labour and Employment, has served as the Chair of the Forum since 2018 until recently when he became the Minister. Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Chair, Forum of Parliamentarians; Member of Parliament & National Spokesperson, BJP will succeed Mr Bhupender Yadav as the Chair of the Forum of Parliamentarians.

Delivering his acceptance speech Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy shared his experience and association with the Forum over the years and noted the importance of such forums for ensuring the spirit of Track II diplomacy, promoting collateral partnerships, academic visits and dialogues on international issues.

India is a critical player in shaping the global politics and economy and a determiner of Asian economy's growth. Track-II diplomacy is an important component for India as it entails bipartisanship with the infusion of fresh and unbiased perspectives in the policy space. The Forum of Parliamentarians was envisioned as Track Two initiative of FICCI in the year 2000 as India was becoming more active as a global leader.

Track-II dialogue process has a definite edge over formal approaches of engagement which are not able to factor in parameters like people to people contact or cultural connect which are essential in promoting confidence and mutual understanding in a bilateral relationship.

The Forum works closely with official channels in alignment with India's foreign policy goals. At the same time, it follows an independent agenda as a track two bipartisan initiative.  The Forum of Parliamentarians engages with MPs across party lines from both Houses of Parliament to ensure a healthy mix of political ideologies and inclusive representation of diversity of India. It also creates unique platforms for deeper engagement and discussions on political, economic and cultural relationship between India and the world.