Tashkent [Uzbekistan], April 7 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called for India and Uzbekistan to strengthen their historic relationship by expanding collaboration into emerging sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and nuclear energy.
Speaking during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent—where he is leading India’s delegation to the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)—Birla highlighted centuries-old cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. He emphasized the need to deepen cooperation beyond traditional areas into strategic and technological domains.
Birla underscored India’s deep-rooted democratic traditions, adding that the country’s commitment to inclusive governance is guided by its Constitution. He highlighted India’s efforts to empower women, including the 33% reservation in local governance and the recent passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which aims to increase women’s participation in legislative bodies.
He reiterated India’s principles of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The World is One Family) and “Sarvajan Hitaya” (For the Welfare of All), which he said reflect the country’s commitment to global cooperation and inclusive development.
Birla noted that India-Uzbekistan ties have matured into a Strategic Partnership, with growing cooperation in areas such as economy, defence, trade, and education. India is now among Uzbekistan’s top ten trading partners. He called for increased parliamentary exchanges to deepen institutional understanding and promote people-to-people connections.
Birla also appreciated Uzbekistan’s growing interest in Indian culture—particularly yoga, music, and dance—and the increasing number of Indian students pursuing education in Uzbekistan. He expressed confidence that the meetings in Tashkent would help further consolidate diplomatic and parliamentary relations.
Earlier in the day, Birla and the Indian Parliamentary Delegation paid floral tributes at the bust of former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent, honoring his historic connection to the city.
On the sidelines of the IPU Assembly, Birla also met with his counterparts from Israel, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan:
- In his meeting with Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Birla recalled their previous discussions in New Delhi and praised Israel’s progress in technology, agriculture, and defence. He welcomed the formation of a parliamentary friendship group between the two nations.
- During discussions with Tanzila Norbaeva, Chairperson of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis, Birla congratulated her on successfully hosting the IPU Assembly and recognized Uzbekistan’s rapid development.
- In a bilateral with Yerlan Koshanov, Chairperson of Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis (lower house), Birla proposed institutional dialogues between the two parliaments, acknowledging Kazakhstan’s 30th Constitution anniversary and India’s own 75-year milestone. He emphasized cooperation in defence, security, digital innovation, energy, and space.
Through these high-level engagements, Speaker Om Birla reaffirmed India’s commitment to building robust parliamentary and diplomatic ties with Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, anchored in democratic values and shared goals. (ANI)
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