Bridgetown, Oct 10 (NationPress) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla engaged with the Indian community in Barbados on Friday, encouraging them to become strategic partners in India's growth narrative. He praised the contributions of the Indian diaspora, referring to them as India's ambassadors who connect hearts across borders.

During his address, Birla emphasized India’s remarkable accomplishments, including Chandrayaan-3, advancements in digital payments, innovations in AI, and vaccine diplomacy.

"It was a pleasure to connect with the vibrant Indian community in Barbados! I extended my early wishes for a joyous Diwali! Their energy, commitment, and efforts to uphold Indian culture and values are truly motivating. I am proud to refer to them as India's ambassadors, linking hearts across the globe! I urged them to actively participate in our nation's growth and share India's narrative with enthusiasm," Birla shared on X.

"I shared motivating tales of Indian resilience, our passion for cricket, and our rich cultural ties. I highlighted India's milestones, including Chandrayaan-3, digital payments, AI, and vaccine diplomacy. I encouraged the youth to remain rooted in Indian culture, language, and yoga. Together, we can strengthen India-Barbados relations and forge a brighter future," he added.

Earlier, Om Birla met with Australian Senate President Sue Lines during the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown.

After their meeting, Birla tweeted, "It was a joy to meet H. E. Sue Lines, President of the Australian Senate. Our discussions at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Bridgetown illustrated the growing cooperation between our nations, enhanced through platforms like the G20 and the Commonwealth, evolving into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2020. Our collaboration spans vital areas such as defence, trade, renewable energy, and science and technology, reflecting our mutual commitment to a peaceful and prosperous world."

Birla also highlighted India's leadership in digital governance, stating, "India leads in parliamentary innovation, implementing initiatives like the 'Digital Parliament' and AI-driven multilingual tools to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability." He invited the Australian delegation to the upcoming 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), scheduled for January 2026 in New Delhi.

In another significant meeting, Birla engaged with Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, at the CPA Conference in Georgetown. He commended Zambia's democratic progress and the role of parliamentary institutions in voicing citizens' concerns. The leaders discussed fostering collaboration through delegation exchanges and sharing best legislative practices.

The Lok Sabha Speaker also held a bilateral meeting with Arthur Holder, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados.

They reflected on the strong ties between India and Barbados, rooted in common Commonwealth values, cultural connections, and a shared passion for cricket. “Our friendship is founded on shared culture… and strong connections among our people,” Birla acknowledged.

He appreciated Barbados' decision to offer visa-free access to Indian nationals and highlighted the vibrant presence of the Indian community in the Caribbean nation.

Birla visited the National Assembly of Barbados and admired the intricately carved teakwood Speaker’s Chair gifted by India in 1966. “This chair symbolizes our lasting friendship,” he noted, while discussing potential collaborations in education, culture, and renewable energy.

On Thursday, Birla chaired a workshop at the conference, where he advocated for the ethical and inclusive application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legislative frameworks. He emphasized the need to leverage technology to close the digital gap and make parliaments more citizen-centric.