New Delhi witnessed a significant step forward in India’s diplomatic strategy as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that over 60 Parliamentary Friendship Groups will deepen ties with key nations and solidify parliamentary diplomacy as a cornerstone of the country’s foreign policy.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has spearheaded the formation of these groups with 64 countries, marking a pivotal move to enhance inter-parliamentary engagement. This initiative aims to bolster traditional diplomacy through sustained legislative dialogues, fostering stronger global connections.
In a post on X, Rijiju highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, inspired by the success of Operation Sindoor, led to this expansion. ‘Speaker Om Birla has now established these groups with more than 60 countries, strengthening global democratic ties,’ he noted.
These groups, led by senior parliamentarians from diverse political backgrounds including Ravi Shankar Prasad, P Chidambaram, Shashi Tharoor, and others, will spearhead direct lawmaker-to-lawmaker interactions. The first phase includes nations like the US, Russia, UK, France, Japan, and UAE, with plans to expand further.
The core objectives revolve around sharing legislative experiences, exchanging best practices, and discussing critical issues such as trade, technology, social policies, culture, and global challenges facing democratic societies. Regular conversations, study visits, and joint deliberations will build trust and mutual understanding, fortifying bilateral relations.
This effort builds on PM Modi’s multi-party outreach post-Operation Sindoor, where delegations from various parties projected a unified stance on national security abroad. Speaker Birla’s decision institutionalizes this spirit through structured, enduring parliamentary channels.
By transcending party lines and involving leaders from all spectrums, the initiative showcases the depth and maturity of Indian democracy. It positions parliament as a vital bridge between nations, promoting continuous collaboration in an interconnected world.