Commonwealth approved a set of rules under which the grouping of 54 countries may intervene against governments which violate democratic values and the rule of law.

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd presented a report to the first session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on ways to deal with countries like Fiji who are veering towards breach of democratic values. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said all 35 reform proposals of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group report have been adopted.

She described it as CHOGM's first concrete action.

Gillard told reporters that the purpose of these reform proposals is to enable the Commonwealth to act when a country is veering off course rather than waiting until a country has gone to a grossly unacceptable stage where leaders are left with only option of suspension or expulsion of the country.

Earlier, the Queen Elizabeth opened the CHOGM at an impressive ceremony at Perth convention centre. The future of Fiji, which was suspended from the commonwealth after a military coup, will be discussed over the weekend at a CHOGM leaders' retreat.

Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma informed the reporters that Colombo will host the next CHOGM. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters in Perth began a sit-in at the point from where of the CHOGM security zone begins. They are protesting against war and corporates.

Vice President Mr.Mohammad Hamid Ansari who is representing India at the grouping attended all the sessions. Later, he held a bilateral meeting with the President of Seychelles Mr.James Michel.

Briefing newsmen, Foreign Secretary Mr.Ranjan Mathai said that the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation especially in the fields of fighting piracy, terrorism and marine zone cooperation. Mr. Michel appreciated India's help in various fields especially in high technology.