New Delhi, 25 October (H.S.): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held bilateral talks with Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, to strengthen India-Russia friendship and parliamentary cooperation.

Birla referred to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries and described the completion of 80 years of diplomatic relations as a significant milestone.

He proposed exploring the possibility of holding the next meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission between the Indian and Russian parliaments. Both leaders stressed the importance of institutionalised parliamentary dialogue, regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations and greater interaction among young and women parliamentarians. They also discussed strengthening engagement through Parliamentary Friendship Groups.

Birla briefed the Russian delegation on efforts to make parliamentary proceedings accessible in various Indian languages through Sansad Bhashini. He highlighted the role of technology in making parliamentary functioning more accessible, efficient and people-centric.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said closer cooperation among the parliaments of BRICS countries could help address global challenges and advance the shared priorities of developing countries.

Both sides also discussed international cooperation and coordinated efforts to combat terrorism. Birla appreciated Russia's support for India on the issue.

He further welcomed Russia's support for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and India's bid for permanent membership. The discussions also covered opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, science and technology, agriculture, industry and people-to-people exchanges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar