LOK SABHA SPEAKER SHARES PERSPECTIVES WITH SPEAKERS OF WORLD PARLIAMENTS ON ISSUES OF PARLIAMENTARY INTEREST
Geneva / New Delhi; 16 October, 2024: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to the 149th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in Geneva. On this occasion, he said that Mahatma Gandhi, an emblematic symbol of peace and nonviolence, continues to inspire leaders and nations around the world. He said that Mahatma’s teachings transcend borders, reminding us that in the face of global challenges—be it climate change, gender equality, or conflicts—the path forward lies in unity, empathy, and collaboration.
Shri Birla also shared perspectives with Speakers of World Parliaments on issues of parliamentary importance and other areas.
Sharing thoughts with H.E. Mr. Eric NUSSBAUMER, President of the National Council, Switzerland, he recalled that last year India and Switzerland completed 75 years of Treaty of Friendship. He stressed on further strengthening bilateral relationship and cooperation at multilateral fora. Pitching for further strengthening parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, he said that it is an important dimension of the strong relations between the two countries. Expressing satisfaction with the increasing Swiss investment in India, Lok Sabha Speaker hoped that this investment would augment further due to ease of doing business and massive infrastructure development in India during the recent years. He also acknowledged the role of the Swiss-India Parliamentary Friendship Group in furthering this bond.
Interacting with Mr. Mongkol Surasajja, President of the Senate of Thailand, Shri Birla shared thoughts on the multifaceted bilateral ties covering a wide spectrum of areas including trade and investment, connectivity; culture and tourism; education; science and technology; and people to people exchanges which define India – Thailand relations. Lok Sabha Speaker also highlighted the cultural, linguistic, and religious bonds that connect India and Thailand. Referring to the significance of Buddhism in strengthening bilateral ties, he noted that a large number of Thai pilgrims visit India in their spiritual pursuit. Highlighting the need for increased parliamentary ties, he invited MPs and officials of Thai Parliament to attend training courses at PRIDE.
In his interaction with Mr. Alen Simonyan, President of Armenia’s National Assembly, he highlighted the friendly relations between India and Armenia, rooted in shared values and a deep sense of bonhomie among the people. He emphasized India’s emergence as a land of opportunities, driven by political stability and the youthful population. This presents a compelling case for enhancing our trade and investment partnerships, he added. Shri Birla proposed mutually beneficial progress, in which both the countries could benefit from India’s changing economic landscape by promoting partnership in the areas of trade and investment.
Speaking about the shared democratic values of the two countries, Shri Birla said that for a strong democracy, it is necessary to have a strong parliamentary system. Mentioning the recent Lok Sabha elections, Shri Birla said that this was the largest election process in the history of the world. He added that due to the participation of such a large number of people, Indian elections take the form of a festival.
During his meeting with Speaker, People’s Majlis of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Abdul Raheem Abdulla, he noted that India and the Maldives have a historically close relationship that significantly contributes to the well-being of citizens in both countries. He expressed confidence that sharing best parliamentary practices would help improve the democratic systems. He also called for increased Maldivian participation in training programs organized by PRIDE, Lok Sabha Secretariat, as this collaboration would further promote democratic principles in both nations.
Noting that India has always been the ‘first country to stand’ to help Maldives in times of need, he opined that the relations between the two countries are nurtured by shared values of democracy. The partnership for development is a strong pillar of the relationship, he added. He also observed that in the last few years, whether at the top leadership level or at the delegation level, dialogue between the two countries has increased and cooperation has strengthened. The visit of the Honourable President of Maldives to India just a few days ago has taken relations between the two countries to a new level, Shri Birla noted.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla also met Shri Narayan Prasad Dahal, Chairperson of National Assembly of Nepal. Emphasizing that India and Nepal are not just neighbors but also custodians of shared history and culture, he underlined the profound emotional connect among the people that further strengthens the bond between the two countries. He also highlighted the need for mutually beneficial dialogue between the two Parliaments, underlining that purposive dialogues among the lawmakers are crucial for strengthening close relations as well as reinforcing democratic values.Shri Birla highlighted that Nepal holds a prominent place in India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and reaffirmed India’s dedication to strengthening special relationship in all areas.