INDIA WANTS GLOBAL COOPERATION TO STEM EXTREMISM

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said
there was need for sustained international effort and cooperation to tackle the
growth of extremist ideologies.

"The growth of extremist ideologies is threatening civilised existence
everywhere. The proponents of such ideologies are challenging the tenets of
democracy and representational politics by resorting to intimidation, terror
and other manifestations of intolerance.

"We should not, and cannot give any quarter to such forces," he said at the
20th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth here
Tuesday.

At the conference, Manmohan also articulated the importance of presiding
officers who played a pivotal role in protecting the concerns of the common man.

"The role of presiding officers has come into sharer focus. The task of
running Parliament smoothly, giving due representation and voice to all
sections, has become more complex and challenging," he added.

About 50 speakers and presiding officers from over 40 Commonwealth countries
are participating at the five-day conference which started in Delhi Tuesday.

Malaysia's Senate President Wong Foon Meng is also attending the
conference.
-- BERNAMA