LS Speaker Om Birla Optimistic About Enhancing Strategic Ties Between India and the UK

London, Jan 9 (NationPress) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has conveyed his optimism that his journey to London will further enhance the strong bonds that exist between the Parliaments of both India and the UK, alongside the people of both nations.

In a post on the social media platform X, Birla stated: "Pleased to be with my esteemed host H.E. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, and other dignitaries during the luncheon hosted by Hoyle at the Palace of Westminster. India and the United Kingdom share a deep and unique relationship. Our connections are robust, founded on mutual respect, shared democratic ideals, and our dedication to human dignity and the Rule of Law."

The Lok Sabha Speaker further expressed: "I am confident that this visit will further solidify the long-standing friendly relations between the Parliaments of India and the UK, as well as the citizens of both countries. @CommonsSpeaker @LindsayHoyle_MP @HouseofCommons @HCI_London."

He voiced his aspirations that the strategic partnerships between the two nations will continue to grow stronger in the future.

Speaking to the press, Birla mentioned, "I had a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Commons (Lindsay Hoyle). India and the UK possess a rich and profound relationship. Both nations are staunch believers in democracy and democratic values. We also share democratic principles... We discussed how both nations can enhance their Parliamentary processes and improve the capacity building of MPs."

He highlighted that Lindsay Hoyle commended the advancements made in the Indian Parliament, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence.

Birla emphasized the necessity for swift discussions between the two parliaments to fortify democratic processes and encourage better collaboration in the future.

He remarked, "Numerous innovations in the Indian Parliament, especially those related to Artificial Intelligence, have been acknowledged by the Speaker of the UK House of Commons. I am hopeful that the strategic ties between India and the UK will be enhanced in the future. Through parliamentary diplomacy, discussions between MPs and the Parliaments of both nations will occur at an accelerated pace to strengthen parliamentary democracy and ensure accountability to the public."

Earlier on Wednesday, Birla met with UK House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and underscored India’s status as the "world’s largest and most vibrant democracy".

Birla congratulated Hoyle on his re-election as the Speaker of the UK House of Commons.

When asked about chairing the meeting of the Standing Committee of Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey, he stated, "Speakers from 52 nations will participate in this conference, and India has the opportunity to chair it. We will utilize this opportunity to share insights about India as the mother of democracy and our journey of 75 years through democracy, showcasing how we have achieved economic and social development during this period. Today, India’s economy is growing rapidly, and India is poised to emerge as a manufacturing hub... Significant changes and decisions have been made in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The world is looking towards India. India is striving to maintain global peace and stability."

On January 10, Birla will preside over the meeting of the Standing Committee of Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey. He will lead this meeting in his role as the host of the 28th CSPOC, which is set to take place in India in 2026.

The Lok Sabha Speaker will also engage with his counterparts from other Parliaments during this meeting.

During his meeting with Hoyle, Birla emphasized that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has an "excellent track record" in conducting free, fair, independent, and impartial elections, referring to India as a vibrant democracy with one billion voters.

Highlighting the increasing involvement of women in the electoral process in India, he noted that such participation reflects the inclusiveness of our electoral system.

He mentioned that India is celebrating 75 years since the adoption of its Constitution, which has catalyzed transformative socio-economic changes in the nation.

Birla expressed hope that India will evolve into a developed country by 2047, as stated by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

He called for enhanced parliamentary cooperation between India and the UK, advocating for increased exchanges of parliamentary knowledge, best practices, and experiences between both nations.

He emphasized that youth and women parliamentarians from India and the UK should engage more frequently, as per the statement released by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.