In a strategic move to boost India’s international outreach, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has just unveiled Parliamentary Friendship Groups with over 60 countries. This exciting initiative is all about connecting Indian lawmakers directly with their counterparts worldwide, ushering in what Speaker Birla calls a “new era of parliamentary diplomacy.”
What makes this particularly noteworthy is its inclusive spirit. Even amidst strained domestic political ties, these groups feature a wide array of prominent leaders from across the political spectrum – including several opposition members recently suspended from the Lower House. Imagine names like Shashi Tharoor, P Chidambaram, K Kanimozhi, and Abhishek Banerjee working alongside senior BJP figures like Ravi Shankar Prasad and Anurag Thakur. This cross-party collaboration underscores a united front for India on the global stage.
The core idea is simple: deepen dialogue, share legislative experiences, and build trust through regular, direct engagement. These groups are designed to go beyond formal diplomacy, fostering conversations on critical global topics such as trade, technology, social policy, culture, and the complex challenges democracies face today.
As Speaker Birla put it, this is a “participatory approach to foreign engagement,” signaling India’s Parliament taking a more active and confident role in international forums. It’s about projecting India as a mature democracy, eager to engage, listen, and collaborate, strengthening its global partnerships one conversation at a time. This initiative truly highlights a commitment to sustained international interaction, rising above internal differences for a common global cause.
