India-Russia Friendship: A Model of Cooperation and Diplomacy, Says Lok Sabha Speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla stated today that the strong and time-tested friendship between India and Russia serves as a shining example of cooperation and diplomacy for the world to follow. Highlighting the deep-rooted historical ties between the two nations, he emphasized that India-Russia bilateral relations hold a unique and special place on the global stage. He also noted that the relationship between the two countries dates back centuries and that Russia has been one of India’s closest allies since independence.

Shri Birla made these remarks during a meeting with a Russian Parliamentary delegation, led by H.E. Mr. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, at the Parliament House in New Delhi today (February 3, 2025).

Congratulating Russia on its successful BRICS chairmanship in 2024, Shri Birla recalled his visit to St. Petersburg for the BRICS Parliamentary Summit and reiterated the significance of parliamentary exchanges in deepening bilateral ties. He was pleased that the Russian delegation had witnessed the proceedings of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which gave them valuable insights into India’s democratic functioning.

Shri Birla elaborated on India’s Parliamentary Committee System, describing it as a “Mini-Parliament” where key policy issues and budgetary matters are thoroughly examined. He stressed that these committees operate in a non-partisan manner, allowing for detailed discussions, which is often challenging in the larger parliamentary sessions due to time constraints and broad-ranging topics.

Reflecting on India’s 75th year as a Republic, Shri Birla spoke about the country’s progress since independence, crediting the visionary efforts of the Constitution’s founding fathers for securing equality for all citizens. He briefed the delegation about India’s democratic evolution and commitment to upholding Constitutional values.

Further highlighting the strong collaboration between the Indian and Russian Parliaments, Shri Birla referred to frequent interactions at various platforms, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and G-20 meetings. He recalled his engagements with Russian parliamentary leaders during his participation in the BRICS Parliamentary Summit in St. Petersburg and reaffirmed the commitment to further enhancing cooperation.

Emphasizing the mutual trust and respect that have strengthened India-Russia relations over the years, Shri Birla noted that the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations spans political, strategic, and cultural domains. He pointed out that people-to-people ties have provided a solid foundation for this comprehensive partnership, and expressed confidence that the ongoing visit of the Russian delegation would further bolster bilateral relations, fostering mutual growth and prosperity.

H.E. Mr. Vyacheslav Volodin expressed gratitude to Shri Birla for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation. He stated that observing parliamentary proceedings in a multi-party democracy like India was an enriching learning experience. Mr. Volodin praised the India-Russia friendship, which he said continues to flourish due to the strong ties shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin.

Congratulating India on its 75th year as a Republic, Mr. Volodin also commended India’s remarkable economic growth, acknowledging the country’s emergence as a global power over the past 75 years. He reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with India and expressed hope that India-Russia relations would continue to reach new heights.

The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Smt. Aparajita Sarangi, Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, and Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General of Lok Sabha.