The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), whose origin dates back to 1889, older then the League of Nations and the United Nations, is an international organisation at Parliamentary level which brings together the representatives of Parliaments of sovereign countries on one platform.

The aims of the IPU, inter alia, include fostering contacts, co-ordination and the exchange of experience among Parliaments and Parliamentarians of all countries for the establishment and development of democratic institutions, and for the advancement of international peace and cooperation. The Union also studies, and seeks solutions for, all questions of international character suitable for settlement by parliamentary action and makes suggestions for the development of parliamentary institutions, with a view to improving the working of the representative institutions and increasing their prestige. The Union shares the objectives of the United Nations and supports all its efforts besides working in close cooperation with it. It also cooperates with regional inter - parliamentary organisations, as well as with international inter - governmental and non-governmental organisations having faith in the UN ideals.

Presently, 116 of the Legislatures of the world’s sovereign countries besides the Andean Parliament, - an associate member - are represented in the Union.

The Union has a semi-official character, and has its Headquarters in Geneva.

The Indian Parliamentary Group of which Speaker, Lok Sabha, is the ex-officio President, and Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha are the ex-officio Vice-Presidents, is the National Group of the Inter-Parliamentary' Union. Secretary-General of Lok Sabha is ex-offico Secretary - General of the Indian Group. Sitting as well as former Members of Parliament are Members of the Group.

India became a member of this international body in 1949 in pursuance of a motion moved by the then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly of India (Legislative) and adopted on 16 August, 1948. Since then Indian Parliamentary Delegations have been regularly taking part in every Inter-Parliamentary Conference which is held in the capitals of member countries by rotation and other international Seminars and Symposia organised periodically by the Union.

India has the privilege of hosting the 89th Inter - Parliamentary Conference in New Delhi on 12-17 April, 1993. India hosted the 57th Inter - Parliamentary Conference in 1969. Thus, this is the second time when Parliament of India would play host to this international Conference.

India is proud to play host to this International Conference once again. The Department of Posts, Government of India has great pleasure in commemorating the occasion by issuing a Special Postage Stamp on 11 April, 1993 to mark the historic occasion, along with a First - Day cover and Cancellation.

The Cover as well as the Stamp appropriately depict the Logo of the Conference. The Stamp carries the pictures of the magnificent building of Parliament House (Sansad Bhawan) and the IPU emblem (Symbolizing the universality of its membership and peace).

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India