New Delhi, 24 Feb 2026 — In a major drive to strengthen India global presence, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with more than 60 countries. This bold initiative aims to deepen legislature-to-legislature engagement worldwide and expand India’s diplomatic outreach beyond traditional channels.
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What Are Parliamentary Friendship Groups?
Parliamentary Friendship Groups are structured platforms linking Indian Members of Parliament (MPs) with legislatures of partner countries. Each group typically consists of legislators from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, cutting across political parties, enabling sustained dialogue and cooperation between parliaments.
Objectives of the Initiative
The primary goals of this diplomatic effort include:
- Promoting direct conversations between Indian lawmakers and their foreign counterparts.
- Sharing legislative experiences and best practices on governance issues.
- Discussing mutual interests such as trade, technology, culture, social policy, and global challenges faced by democracies.
- Complementing traditional diplomacy by institutionalising parliament-to-parliament engagement.
Cross-Party Participation
A notable feature of this initiative is its inclusive and bipartisan nature. Senior leaders from ruling and opposition parties have been appointed to lead many of the Friendship Groups. These include seasoned legislators representing diverse political backgrounds, demonstrating a collective Indian voice on the international stage.
Countries Covered
The Friendship Groups have been formed with key strategic and partner nations spanning several continents. Among them are:
- Major global powers like the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, Germany and Japan.
- Regional partners including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
- Emerging partners such as South Africa, Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, Israel, South Korea, and the UAE.
The list also includes engagement with the European Parliament and other multilateral bodies.
How It Strengthens India’s Foreign Policy
This parliamentary outreach complements India’s broader diplomatic efforts by building people-to-people and institution-to-institution relationships rooted in democratic values. Through regular dialogue, study visits, and joint discussions, the groups are expected to enhance mutual understanding, promote cooperation, and cultivate long-term trust with legislatures across the world.
Conclusion
By establishing Parliamentary Friendship Groups with more than 60 countries, India is reshaping its diplomatic playbook to include sustained parliament-to-parliament engagement. This strategy not only showcases the country’s democratic diversity but also amplifies its global voice on issues of mutual interest. The initiative positions India’s Parliament as an active diplomatic partner, fostering cooperation that transcends traditional executive-to-executive channels and builds enduring global partnerships.
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