Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, during a series of bilateral meetings held on Monday on the sidelines of the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent, highlighted the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan. He stressed the importance of expanding this partnership into emerging sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and nuclear energy, alongside traditional areas of cooperation, according to a statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
During his meeting with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Birla underscored India’s ancient democratic values and their evolution through the Constitution. He pointed to grassroots empowerment and inclusive governance as key features of Indian democracy, citing the 33 percent reservation for women in local bodies and the recently enacted Nari Shakti Vandan Act, the first legislation passed in the new Parliament building, which enhances women’s representation in state and central legislatures.
Birla also invoked India’s civilizational ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family) and Sarvajan Hitaya (For the Welfare of All), noting these values have long guided Indian governance. Reflecting on India’s 75 years of constitutional democracy, he emphasized the role of progressive legislation in driving transformative socio-economic change.
Stressing the elevation of India-Uzbekistan relations to a Strategic Partnership, Birla noted that India is now among Uzbekistan’s top ten trading partners. He called for greater parliamentary engagement, promoting dialogue to share governance practices and deepen mutual understanding.
Appreciating Uzbekistan’s growing interest in Indian culture—including music, dance, and yoga—Birla also lauded the increasing enrollment of Indian students in Uzbek universities. He expressed confidence that the Tashkent meetings would further reinforce bilateral and parliamentary ties between the two nations. The Indian delegation, led by Birla, also paid floral tributes at the bust of former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent.
Lok Sabha Speaker congratulates Uzbekistan on hosting the 150th IPU Assembly
In a separate meeting, Om Birla met the Chairperson of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis Tanzila Norbaeva, congratulating her on the successful organization of the 150th IPU Assembly. He acknowledged Uzbekistan’s rapid progress in various sectors and praised the hospitality extended to the Indian delegation. Highlighting the countries’ shared values and collaborations in forums like SCO, UN, and BRICS, Birla reiterated the potential for joint ventures in emerging technologies.
India and Israel: Strengthening Parliamentary Ties
In a bilateral meeting with Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Birla reminisced about their previous interaction in New Delhi and acknowledged Israel’s strides in development. Reaffirming the strategic partnership between India and Israel, Birla emphasized their common democratic values and expanding cooperation in defense, technology, and agriculture. He welcomed the establishment of a Parliamentary Friendship Group as a positive step toward institutionalizing collaboration.
