India on Monday said that it participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) with a clear set of priorities. They included maintaining the focus on development agenda of CHOGM, to reflect the perspective of the developing countries on contemporary situation in terms of food security, climate change, global economic situation, health and gender equality.

Addressing the media accompanying him onboard his special aircraft on the way back home from Perth, the Vice President Mr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari said that highlighting India’s views on international terrorism, the need to combat it and the ongoing debate on the convention on terrorism and piracy were also significantly on the agenda of the Indian delegation. He said, India reiterated its perspective on the institutional reforms of commonwealth, India’s view has been that strengthening the existing institutions is preferable to having new ones. India continued its engagement with the Least Developed Countries and extending support the Kamlesh Sharma for continuing as Secretary General of Commonwealth was also on the priority list. Mr. Ansari said that India’s achieved its goal at CHOGM as all these issues were reflected from India’s perspective.

The Vice President informed announced at the CHOGM that India will continue with its support to the ongoing Commonwealth Connect programme and increase the Commonwealth scholarships.

The Vice President, who represented the country at the CHOGM in Perth, Australia has returned home.