Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said the NXT Conclave 2026 is emerging as an important platform for policy discussions, innovation and international cooperation.
Birla made the remarks while meeting a delegation of parliamentarians, industry leaders and thought leaders from more than 30 countries who are attending the conclave in New Delhi. The delegation called on the Speaker at Parliament House.
Welcoming the participants, Birla said global parliamentary dialogue plays an important role in addressing contemporary challenges and strengthening democratic cooperation among nations.
He also commended Kartikeya Sharma, Member of the Rajya Sabha, for spearheading the initiative and helping develop the conclave into a significant forum for discussions among policymakers and global leaders.
Parliament reflects aspirations of 1.4 billion citizens
Highlighting India’s democratic tradition, Birla said the Parliament of India represents the aspirations and diversity of 1.4 billion citizens, where policies are shaped through debate and dialogue among diverse viewpoints.
He noted that India, often described as the “Mother of Democracy,” has a long tradition of consensus-building and participatory decision-making.
Digital governance improving transparency
The Lok Sabha Speaker also highlighted India’s progress in governance reforms, saying technology-driven systems have significantly improved transparency and accountability in public administration.
He said initiatives such as direct benefit transfer (DBT) and digital governance platforms have helped streamline public service delivery and reduce leakages.
Birla further pointed to technological initiatives in parliamentary functioning, including the Digital Sansad programme, improved parliamentary research systems and modern information platforms aimed at increasing efficiency and transparency.
Focus on parliamentary diplomacy
Emphasising the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, Birla said the Indian Parliament has constituted over 60 Parliamentary Friendship Groups to strengthen cooperation and engagement with legislatures across the world.
He encouraged greater exchange of ideas and experiences among parliamentarians to strengthen democratic institutions globally.
The NXT Conclave 2026, currently underway in New Delhi, has brought together lawmakers, policymakers, industry leaders and global experts to deliberate on emerging issues in governance, technology and international cooperation.
