Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
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- September 13, 2025
Syllabus: GS2/ Polity
In News
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 11th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Conference in Bengaluru.]
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
- Establishment: Originated in 1911 as the Empire Parliamentary Association; renamed in 1948 as CPA.
- Nature: A voluntary association of national, state, provincial, and territorial parliaments across the Commonwealth of Nations.
Objectives:
- Promote parliamentary democracy and legislative cooperation.
- Strengthen good governance, accountability, and transparency.
- Encourage dialogue and capacity-building among legislatures.
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
- Membership: Over 180 legislatures from 55 Commonwealth countries.
- India’s Role: Active participant since Independence, with regular hosting of conferences and exchange programmes.
Key Facts
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
- Membership: Over 180 legislatures drawn from 55 Commonwealth countries.
India’s Role:
- Active member since Independence.
- Regular host of regional and international conferences.
- Participation in parliamentary exchanges, training of legislators, and capacity-building initiatives.
- India’s large and diverse parliamentary system makes it an important voice in shaping CPA’s agenda.
Significance of CPA in India’s Context
- Enhances India’s role as a torchbearer of democracy within the Commonwealth.
- Provides opportunities for regional cooperation with Asian, African, and Pacific legislatures.
- Strengthens India’s soft power diplomacy by showcasing its democratic institutions.
- Helps in parliamentary reforms through exposure to global best practices.