On Wednesday 14^th May 2008 Virendra Sharma MP spoke in the debate in the House of Commons on the current crisis engulfing the people of Burma after the Cyclone Nargis and the difficulties being encountered by relief agencies delivering aid to them. He highlighted the crucial role that India was playing in channelling aid into Burma. A 50-strong Indian medical team - some already operating in the delta - is in Burma after New Delhi dispatched six aircraft and two naval ships packed with relief within days of the disaster.

Speaking in the debate Virendra Sharma MP said,

“As an immigrant from India, a neighbouring country, I understand the impact that the current disaster and previous political actions have had not only in Burma, but in neighbouring countries. I am glad that the Indian Government has taken initiatives to provide assistance to the Burmese people, although the current Burmese military regime has not accepted assistance and is creating blockages. It is important that the international community should not only take action to overcome the disaster and help the communities affected now, but ensure that political action is taken to bring forward a more democratic system in Burma; otherwise, the Burmese will continue to suffer not only from natural disasters, but from human disasters.

It is important that the international community should come together to ensure not only that assistance is given to the communities affected, but that the military regime over there is tackled. I am certainly glad to see that the Government have taken initiatives to offer support and will continue to work with hon. Members from all parts of the House to ensure that those people are helped. I will certainly support the Government on that point.”

Speaking about Virendra Sharma’s contribution to the debate Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander MP said, “Having a speaker of your experience able to speak with such authority about the Indian perspective on the crisis was really helpful.”

During the debate Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander MP said,

“The emphasis that we place on China, India and ASEAN partners results from the fact that, historically, significant influence has been wielded in relation to Burma by both India and China, and of course influence continues to be exerted by neighbours in the immediate region.”

At today’s Prime Minister’s Questions Gordon Brown said, “Aid agencies, particularly British ones, are getting aid to people, but the key effort will now rely on an ASEAN-mobilised effort, as a result of the decision of its Foreign Ministers on Monday. We will put our resources behind that, as will the Americans, the French and the ships that are now off the coast of Burma. We hope that, as a result, aid will now get very quickly to the people of Burma. It is the combination of the ASEAN aid effort—I have been in touch with the Prime Ministers of India, Singapore and Thailand and the President of Indonesia asking them to move things forward as quickly as possible—which the Burmese Government are now prepared to accept, and the push from the United Nations at the conference this weekend that can start to make possible the biggest difference.

To see a video of Virendra's speech click here