Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, Scotland, and Guernsey, from January 7 to 11, 2025. His trip includes a series of important meetings with key political leaders, as well as engagements aimed at strengthening India’s diplomatic and parliamentary relations with these countries.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment as Birla takes on various roles within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, setting the stage for future collaborations and events.
Meetings with UK Political Leaders
During his stay in the UK, which runs from January 7 to 9, Birla is scheduled to meet with two prominent figures: Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and John McFall, the Lord Speaker of the House of Lords. These discussions are expected to focus on fostering closer parliamentary cooperation and improving the functioning of parliamentary systems within the Commonwealth.
In addition to his political meetings, Birla will visit the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Museum, a notable site dedicated to the memory of one of India’s greatest leaders. The Speaker will also pay his respects at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, further strengthening the cultural and historical ties between India and the UK. Another important aspect of Birla’s visit will be his engagement with members of the Indian diaspora in the UK, a community that has played a significant role in fostering India-UK relations.
Birla’s Engagements in Scotland
From the UK, Birla will travel to Scotland, where he is scheduled to meet with Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, and John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland. These meetings will explore opportunities for collaboration and discussion between India and Scotland, particularly in the context of parliamentary procedures and governance.
Birla’s visit to Scotland also includes talks with members of the Scottish Parliament from various political parties. These discussions are part of ongoing efforts to promote democratic values, good governance, and exchanges between parliamentary institutions across nations.
The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth
On January 10, Birla will chair the Standing Committee meeting of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey. This important gathering is one of the key events during his visit and is integral to preparations for the 28th CSPOC conference, which is set to take place in India in 2026.
As chair of the standing committee, Birla will lead discussions aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Commonwealth’s parliamentary networks. He will also meet with parliamentary counterparts from various countries to discuss pressing global issues and the role of parliaments in promoting democracy and human rights.
This meeting is a crucial step towards enhancing India’s leadership within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, particularly as India prepares to host the 2026 conference.
Strengthening India’s Global Parliamentary Influence
Speaker Om Birla’s visit underscores India’s growing diplomatic and parliamentary influence on the global stage. Through his interactions with political leaders and parliamentary figures in the UK, Scotland, and Guernsey, Birla is working to build deeper ties and encourage cooperation on issues such as governance, democratic reforms, and international diplomacy.
The 2026 CSPOC conference in India is expected to be a significant milestone in the country’s international parliamentary relations, and Birla’s role in preparing for this event will be key to ensuring its success.
