Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today held bilateral talks with Mr. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-Russia friendship and parliamentary cooperation. Mr. Birla referred to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia and described the completion of 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries as a significant milestone. He stated that closer cooperation among the parliaments of BRICS countries would help address global challenges and advance the shared priorities of developing countries.
Mr. Birla apprised the Russian delegation of efforts to make parliamentary proceedings accessible in various Indian languages through Sansad Bhashini. He highlighted the role of technology in making parliamentary functioning more accessible, efficient and people-centric. Both sides discussed the need for international cooperation and concerted efforts to combat terrorism. Mr. Birla appreciated Russia’s support for India on this issue.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of institutionalising parliamentary dialogue and emphasised the need for regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations, as well as promoting dialogue among young and women parliamentarians. They further discussed ways to strengthen bilateral engagement through Parliamentary Friendship Groups. Mr. Birla also appreciated Russia’s support for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and for India’s bid for permanent membership.
