New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) In a significant announcement, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, revealed on Tuesday that the newly formed Parliamentary Friendship Groups, encompassing over 60 nations, will enhance bilateral relations with key countries and fortify parliamentary diplomacy as a vital component of India's foreign policy.

In a notable initiative led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Friendship Groups have been established with 64 countries, marking a major advancement in India's inter-parliamentary collaboration and complementing traditional diplomacy through ongoing legislative engagement.

Rijiju shared on social media platform X: "In light of the success of Operation Sindoor, Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji proposed the creation of Parliamentary Friendship Groups to improve interactions between India and other nations. Hon'ble Speaker Shri Om Birla ji has now formed these groups with over 60 countries, thereby enhancing global democratic connections."

As India’s international footprint expands, the Union Minister emphasized that this initiative will "deepen connections with major nations" while further "reinforcing parliamentary diplomacy as a fundamental aspect" of the nation's foreign policy structure.

He added, "Enhanced legislator-to-legislator interactions will nurture trust, dialogue, and collaboration, showcasing India's growing stature as a responsible and leading democracy on the world stage."

This initiative unites Members of Parliament from various political backgrounds to lead these groups, reflecting the inclusive and diverse nature of Indian democracy globally.

Prominent lawmakers such as Ravi Shankar Prasad, M. Thambidurai, P. Chidambaram, Ram Gopal Yadav, T.R. Baalu, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Gaurav Gogoi, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, and many others will oversee the respective groups.

The initial phase involves countries including Sri Lanka, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Maldives, United States, Russia, European Union Parliament, South Korea, Nepal, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Italy, Oman, Australia, Greece, Singapore, Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, Iran, and United Arab Emirates.

Plans are in motion to broaden this network to include additional nations shortly. These groups aim to facilitate direct dialogue between lawmakers, share legislative experiences, exchange best practices, and discuss issues related to trade, technology, social policies, culture, and common global challenges faced by democratic societies.

The initiative aspires to build trust, promote mutual understanding, and enhance bilateral relationships through regular engagements, study visits, and collaborative discussions.

This formation builds upon the multi-party outreach initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Operation Sindoor, which deployed cross-party delegations internationally to present India’s unified viewpoint on national security and interests. This effort illustrated India's capacity to transcend partisan divides and present a cohesive stance on significant issues.

The Speaker's action institutionalizes this ethos by establishing structured, long-term parliamentary channels for global engagement. Birla has consistently championed parliamentary diplomacy to elevate India's international reputation, positioning the legislature as an active player in global discussions.

The groups highlight a participatory foreign policy that emphasizes people-to-people and institution-to-institution relationships anchored in democratic principles.

By bridging party lines and involving leaders from across the spectrum, this initiative illustrates the depth and maturity of India's democratic framework, reinforcing Parliament's role as a crucial conduit between nations, fostering ongoing cooperation and collaboration in an interconnected world.