New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday met with a French delegation at Parliament House and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation between the two nations.
In a post on X, the Lok Sabha Speaker said he was “pleased to meet the delegation of the France-India Parliamentary Friendship Group at Parliament House and engage with the distinguished members on strengthening bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation.”
During the meeting, both sides noted the robust nature of the diplomatic relationship, founded on shared democratic values.
“Our discussions highlighted the strength of the India-France special global strategic partnership and the importance of shared democratic values,” Birla said.
The talks also focused on future-oriented initiatives, particularly the long-term developmental framework established between the two countries.
“Deliberations also covered enhancing cooperation across sectors under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, along with opportunities for technological collaboration,” he added.
Emphasizing the role of legislative bodies in fostering international relations, Birla said that “parliamentary exchanges remain a key pillar of cooperation, enabling mutual learning and strengthening democratic institutions.”
He further reiterated the government’s commitment to enhancing diplomatic and cultural ties, stating that he remains “committed to further deepening our parliamentary exchanges and strengthening people-to-people connections.”
This high-level engagement with French lawmakers follows a broader initiative to institutionalize India’s legislative diplomacy. On February 23, Birla announced the establishment of Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 nations to expand India’s diplomatic outreach.
These groups, which include major partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, are designed to be inclusive, featuring representatives from both ruling and opposition parties to present a unified front internationally.
According to a statement released by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, “The move reflects a conscious effort by the Indian Parliament to deepen dialogue and exchanges with legislatures across continents and to complement traditional diplomacy with sustained parliamentary interaction.”
This initiative builds on the foundation of the Prime Minister’s multi-party outreach following Operation Sindoor, with the Lok Sabha Speaker now providing a formal institutional framework to the Parliamentary Friendship Groups, the statement added.
The Secretariat emphasized that the core philosophy behind this initiative is to create a direct line of communication between Indian lawmakers and their foreign counterparts. By sharing legislative experiences and building trust through consistent engagement, the groups aim to exchange best practices that strengthen bilateral ties.
Beyond parliamentary procedures, these groups are expected to facilitate discussions on trade, technology, social policy, and contemporary challenges facing modern democracies.
This institutionalization follows the precedent set after Operation Sindoor, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi utilized multi-party delegations to present India’s perspective abroad. By involving leaders from various political backgrounds, the approach demonstrated unity on matters of national interest.
“The move demonstrated faith in dialogue, inclusiveness, and collective responsibility—core strengths of India’s democracy. It showed that, on matters of national interest, India speaks in one voice. The decision of the Lok Sabha Speaker to form friendship groups with more than 60 countries is an important step in this direction,” the statement noted. (ANI)
About The Author
