New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday underscored the enduring and time-tested friendship between India and Russia, calling it a model of international cooperation and diplomacy. Speaking during a visit by a Russian Parliamentary delegation, led by Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Birla highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between the two nations.
According to an official statement, Birla described India-Russia relations as "very special" on the global stage, emphasizing that the bond has remained strong since India's independence. He commended Russia for its successful chairmanship of BRICS in 2024 and reflected on his own visit to the BRICS Parliamentary Summit in St. Petersburg last year, reaffirming the importance of such engagements in strengthening diplomatic and parliamentary cooperation.
During his address, Birla provided insights into India's Parliamentary Committee System, which he termed "mini parliaments." He explained that these committees play a crucial role in scrutinizing budgetary matters and policy issues in a non-partisan manner, facilitating in-depth discussions often constrained in larger parliamentary sessions.
Marking India’s 75th year as a Republic, Birla also reflected on the country’s post-independence journey and the foundational role of its Constitution in ensuring equality and democratic values for all citizens. He informed the Russian delegation about India's progress over the decades, reinforcing its commitment to constitutional principles.
Further, he highlighted the strong cooperation between the Parliaments of both countries, citing frequent engagements at multilateral platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and the G20. He stressed that mutual trust and respect have been pivotal in shaping India-Russia relations into a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," encompassing political, strategic, and cultural dimensions.
The visit by the Russian delegation and discussions between the leaders reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to deepening their ties across various spheres, strengthening their diplomatic and parliamentary collaborations.
