New Delhi, Oct 26 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday held bilateral meetings with parliamentary leaders from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China and Iran on the sidelines of the 13th BRICS Parliamentary Forum here, in which he discussed issues ranging from parliamentary cooperation, bilateral relations, trade and regional peace.
During his meeting with Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the UAE’s Federal National Council, Birla reaffirmed the historic friendship between India and the UAE and stressed the importance of regular dialogue, parliamentary exchanges and sharing best practices.
According to an official statement, discussions covered digital governance initiatives, including Digital Sansad, artificial intelligence (AI), parliamentary committee functioning and the Online Assurance Monitoring System. Both sides also explored cooperation in trade, investment, education and youth exchanges, while emphasising regional peace and stability through diplomacy.
In his meeting with Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, Birla emphasised that India and China, as neighbouring countries, share a responsibility to maintain peace along their border and resolve differences through dialogue and mutual respect. The discussions focused on parliamentary exchanges, cooperation in education, healthcare and technology, stronger trade relations and people-to-people contacts.
Birla also highlighted the potential of Parliamentary Friendship Groups and platforms such as BRICS to promote mutual understanding.
During talks with Ahmed Naderi, a member of the Presidium of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, Birla recalled the historical ties between India and Iran and highlighted the importance of peace and stability in West Asia.
Both sides discussed strengthening cooperation through the Chabahar Port project and continuing bilateral engagement. Naderi expressed gratitude to India for providing medicines, assistance and other support.
The meetings underscored India’s efforts to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, deepen bilateral cooperation and promote dialogue as a means of addressing regional and international challenges.
India is hosting the 13th BRICS Parliamentary Forum here.
(PTI News)
