Commonwealth Heads of Govt Meeting in London begins today

The two day 25th Commonwealth heads of Govt meeting begins on Thursday in London. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the summit for the first time. The PM and his British counterpart Theresa May at their bilateral meeting on the eve of the summit pledged to reinvigorate the grouping. It takes place at a time when Britain is looking to forge new relations with the commonwealth post BREXIT.
It is after 20 years that the UK is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Govt Meeting. This at a time when Britain is leaving the European Union and looking to forge a renewed relationship with the Commonwealth.

The meeting on Thursday will look at the present challenges faced by the 53 member grouping, who are joined by common values of Democracy and the belief in peace and prosperity of their people.

The heads of at least 50 member countries are taking part in the meeting.
The Summit will focus on peace, prosperity, security, trade and investment. Discussions on strengthening cooperation in the fight against global terrorism, organized crime and cyber crime are also likely.

Climate change will be on the agenda especially because of its dangers for small island countries. Several bilateral agreements could also result from meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
In the joint statement after the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Prime Minister May,
India and UK reiterated their commitment to strengthening and reinvigorating the grouping. They agreed to a special focus on
youth, who make up 60% of the Commonwealth’s population.
Talking of specifics, the two countries agreed to promote coordinated global action to tackle plastic pollution including through the Commonwealth and India’s role as host of World Environment Day 2018.
To provide practical support to help Commonwealth member-states boost cyber security capacity; To help Commonwealth member-states implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
It is the first time PM Modi will be attending the summit and the first time since 2009 that any Indian Prime Minister is participating in the CHOGM.
CHOGM is a forum for the heads of Govt of Commonwealth countries wihch was established to promote trust between countries that were liberated from British colonial rule and to forge a development partnership.

The heads of Govt are slated to meet every two years. The UK will chair the grouping till the next meeting in 2020. India’s global influence has increased on many an international forum and the Commonwealth is no different.

With the Commonwealth looking for new areas of cooperation, and India providing an impetus to global strategic and economic growth, this CHOGM could give a new dimension to India’s global aspirations.