The Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will represent India at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, beginning at Perth in Australia from Friday.

CHOGM takes place against the backdrop of challenges like the global financial crisis and the focus of the deliberations would be on building resilience in member nations, particularly small states, to tackle the situation. Issues like development, climate change and dealing with terrorism jointly may also come up for discussions.

Briefing newsmen in New Delhi on the Vice President’s visit, Foreign Secretay Ranjan Mathai said in New Delhi that India is of the opinion that focus should be on strengthening the existing institutions rather than creating new ones.

The Commonwealth Business Forum is meeting in Perth from today. A high-level business delegation from India led by President-designate of Confederation of Indian Industry, Adi Godrej, is participating in this Forum and speaking at a special session on India.

The Heads of Government will also consider proposals for sharpening the impact, strengthening the networks and raising the profile of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Ansari, who will be accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, will leave for Perth on Wednesday night. A number of the Commonwealth-affiliated organizations such as the Business, Youth and People’s Forums, will also have meetings in Perth during this period. Reports on their activities will be presented to Foreign Ministers at their meeting.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is attending the ministerial meeting of the 54-nation grouping.