The Speaker of the Indian Parliament receives a delegation from the Saudi Shura Council to enhance cooperation
In a move reflecting the deepening bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of India, the Speaker of the Indian House of Representatives, Om Birla, met at the House in New Delhi with a delegation of members of the Saudi Shura Council, representing the Saudi-Indian Parliamentary Friendship Committee, headed by Council Member and Committee Chairman, Major General Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Harbi. This official visit comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to strengthen communication channels between the legislative institutions of both countries.
Developing parliamentary relations and strategic partnerships
The meeting included a comprehensive review of ways to support and develop parliamentary relations and exchange legislative expertise to achieve the common interests of both countries and their friendly peoples. The two sides discussed a number of topics of mutual interest, and at the conclusion of the meeting, they emphasized the importance of increasing reciprocal visits to strengthen cooperation between the Shura Council and the Indian House of Representatives.
This visit is of particular importance given the significant momentum in Saudi-Indian relations, especially following the establishment of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council. This council has transformed relations from their traditional framework into a comprehensive partnership encompassing political, economic, security, and cultural aspects. Parliamentary diplomacy plays a pivotal role in supporting these governmental directions by enacting legislation and overcoming obstacles that may hinder the implementation of bilateral agreements, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to build strong bridges of cooperation with influential global powers such as India.
Extensive talks and field visits
In a related development, the Saudi delegation broadened its discussions, with members of the Shura Council meeting with members of the Saudi-Indian Parliamentary Friendship Committee from the Indian side. This meeting took place with Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Assessment Committee. Discussions focused on opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation at the parliamentary level and explored mechanisms for strengthening the role of friendship committees in bridging perspectives and coordinating positions in international parliamentary forums.
On the sidelines of the visit, the delegation conducted a field tour that included a visit to the historical museum in the Council building, where they learned about the history of parliamentary democracy in India. The delegation also attended part of the regular session held by the House of Representatives, reflecting the level of hospitality and appreciation that the Saudi delegation enjoys.
Members of the Saudi delegation
The Shura Council delegation participating in this important visit includes, in addition to the committee chairman, Major General Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, Dr. Othman Hakami and Dr. Abdullah Al-Waqdani. Also present at the meetings was Riyadh Al-Kaabi, advisor at the Embassy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the Republic of India, underscoring the collaborative diplomatic and parliamentary efforts to serve the Kingdom's interests.
