India and Russia are set to enhance parliamentary cooperation following a meeting between Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and a Russian delegation led by First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia, Vladimir Yakushev. The discussions highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two nations, built on mutual trust and shared strategic interests. Both sides noted that ongoing engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin has further strengthened bilateral relations, creating new avenues for collaboration.
During the meeting, leaders emphasized the value of parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation on global platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and the G20, aiming to address shared international challenges. The dialogue reaffirmed the role of institutional mechanisms like the Inter-Parliamentary Commission and parliamentary friendship groups in promoting sustained engagement between lawmakers. The establishment of the India-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group is expected to further bolster ties.
The discussion also underlined strong cooperation in traditional areas such as defence, trade, and economic engagement. Emerging sectors like space research, artificial intelligence, and clean energy were identified as key drivers for future growth and collaboration. Leaders acknowledged the importance of cultural and people-to-people connections, noting initiatives like the Bharat Utsav festival and the presence of over 35,000 Indian students in Russia as central to strengthening bilateral ties.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to deepening their relationship across multiple dimensions, sustaining high-level parliamentary exchanges, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation in strategic, technological, and cultural fields.
