On the sidelines of the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference being held in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD), led by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, paid a formal visit to the National Assembly of Barbados. Shri Birla and the members of the IPD were warmly welcomed by H.E. Mr. Arthur Holder, Speaker of House of Assembly of Barbados. During the visit, members of the IPD and Barbadian lawmakers engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation, exchanging democratic values, and enhancing partnership on global platforms.

Shri Om Birla also had the opportunity to view the historic Speaker’s chair in the Barbados Parliament, a gift from the Government of India in 1966 to mark Barbados’ independence. This chair symbolizes the deep historical and cultural ties between India and Barbados. Crafted from Indian teakwood, it was meticulously hand-carved over nearly a year by twelve Indian artisans. The inscription on the chair reads, “From the People of India to the People of Barbados,” reflecting the enduring spirit of affection, cooperation, and friendship between the two nations.

On the occasion, Shri Birla emphasized that the democratic traditions, parliamentary systems, and shared values of India and Barbados serve to bring the two nations closer. He described this historic heritage as “a living example of India-Barbados friendship.” Both sides agreed to explore new opportunities for collaboration in education, culture, renewable energy, and parliamentary cooperation. Lawmakers on both sides expressed a strong consensus that the visit of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Shri Birla, marked a significant step toward further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Barbados.

During his visit to Barbados, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla interacted with Members of the Indian Diaspora. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Birla said that the Indian Diaspora has historically built strong a reputation through their hard work and honesty worldwide. He added that Indian Community in Barbados celebrates festivals like Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Navratri together, which strengthen community bonds. Shri Birla observed that the teachings from Ramayana and Mahabharata emphasize righteousness, truth, and duty and continue to guide the Indian Diaspora.

Speaking about India’s achievements under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Birla said that today India is leading the world in cutting edge technologies like space exploration, digital payments, and Artificial Intelligence. Shri Birla observed that cricket is a strong cultural bridge between the two countries. He added that in recent years, the two countries have seen close cooperation in sectors like Information Technology, healthcare, and education. Shri Birla encouraged the audience to continue to maintain a positive image of India through their actions. He also called on the new generation to teach Indian languages and culture to their children, so as to keep Indian culture alive across generations.

LOK SABHA SPEAKER HOLDS BILATERAL MEETINGS DURING 68TH COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

On the sidelines of the Conference, Shri Birla held bilateral meetings with his counterparts of participating legislatures.

During the meeting with Her Excellency Ms. Sue Lines, President of the Australian Senate, the two leaders highlighted the growing collaboration between India and Australia, which has evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2020. Shri Birla underlined that this partnership, further nurtured through forums such as the G20 and the Commonwealth, spans key sectors including defence, trade, renewable energy, and science and technology—reflecting a shared commitment to global peace and prosperity. Shri Birla also emphasized India’s leadership in parliamentary innovation with particular reference to initiatives such as the ‘Digital Sansad’ and AI-powered multilingual tools, which are enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability within the legislative process. Shri Birla invited H.E. Sue Lines to the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), scheduled to be held in New Delhi in January 2026.

In a bilateral meeting between Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and His Excellency Mr. Arthur Holder, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados, discussions focused on ongoing cooperation at multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the G-77, and CARICOM, where both nations advocate for equitable and inclusive reforms. The meeting also explored opportunities to enhance parliamentary cooperation, emphasizing regular delegation exchanges, the adoption of best legislative practices, and the use of emerging technologies and AI to promote more inclusive, citizen-centric legislatures. Shri Birla extended an invitation to H.E. Mr. Holder to participate in the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi in January 2026.

On the sidelines of the 68th CPC, Shri Birla also held a discussion with Her Excellency Ms. Juliet Holness, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Jamaica. Both leaders exchanged insights on strengthening parliamentary collaboration through regular exchanges, capacity-building initiatives, and the integration of AI to enhance legislative transparency and efficiency. Shri Birla extended an invitation to Her Excellency Holness to attend the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi in January 2026.

Shri Birla also held a cordial bilateral meeting with Her Excellency Ms. Nelly Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia. Shri Birla observed that the longstanding friendship between India and Zambia is widely celebrated, and both sides explore new avenues for enhanced parliamentary cooperation, including regular delegation exchanges and the sharing of legislative best practices. Shri Birla also shared India’s experience in using technology and artificial intelligence in making parliamentary processes more citizen-centric. In the meeting, Shri Birla extended a formal invitation to Her Excellency Ms. Mutti to attend the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi in January 2026.

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