A Russian Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Vladimir Yakushev, First Deputy Chairperson, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Parliament House, today.
Welcoming the distinguished Russian delegation, the Speaker congratulated Mr. Yakushev on his appointment as Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Federation Council. The Speaker noted that this appointment reflects Russia’s continued commitment to enhancing parliamentary cooperation with India.
Highlighting that India–Russia Parliamentary ties are set to deepen through renewed dialogue and cooperation, Birla observed that the two countries share a time-tested partnership rooted in mutual trust and understanding. Since India’s independence, Russia has remained one of its closest and most reliable partners, and the friendship between the people of both countries continue to serve as a model for international cooperation, he noted.
The Speaker recalled the recent high-level engagements between the two countries, and the continued dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Russia, Mr. Vladimir Putin. These interactions, the Speaker emphasized, have further strengthened bilateral ties and opened new avenues for cooperation.
Both sides acknowledged the importance of collaboration in multilateral parliamentary platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and G20. The Speaker stressed the need to further deepen this cooperation to address global challenges collectively. The discussions also highlighted the robust bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as defence, trade, and economic engagement. Emerging areas including space research, artificial intelligence, and clean energy were identified as promising avenues for future collaboration.
The Speaker also noted the strong cultural and people-to-people connections between India and Russia. The presence of a large number of Indian students in Russian universities, along with the popularity of yoga and Indian cinema in Russia, reflects the deep cultural affinity between the two nations. The recent ‘Bharat Utsav’ cultural festival held in Moscow, which witnessed significant public participation, was cited as a testament to the growing interest in Indian culture among Russian citizens. Appreciating the support extended by the Russian government to the Indian community residing in Russia, the Speaker expressed gratitude for ensuring their welfare and well-being.
