Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Visits Barbados Parliament

India’s parliamentary diplomacy received a boost during the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Bridgetown, Barbados in 2025. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led the Indian Parliamentary Delegation, engaging with counterparts from Barbados, Australia, Jamaica, and Zambia. The visit brought into light India’s commitment to deepening democratic ties and enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.

India-Barbados Parliamentary Engagement

Om Birla’s visit to the National Assembly of Barbados marked moment in bilateral relations. The Indian delegation was warmly welcomed by Arthur Holder, Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados. Discussions focused on strengthening democratic engagement and cooperation on global platforms. Birla viewed the historic Speaker’s Chair, a gift from India in 1966, symbolising the enduring friendship between the two nations. The chair, made from Indian teakwood and hand-carved by artisans, bears an inscription reflecting India’s goodwill towards Barbados.

Expanding Cooperation Areas

Both India and Barbados agreed to explore new avenues for collaboration. Key sectors identified included education, renewable energy, culture, and parliamentary exchanges. The two sides emphasised the importance of shared democratic traditions and cultural values. Birla’s interaction with the Indian diaspora in Barbados brought into light the community’s role in strengthening cultural bonds through festivals like Diwali and Holi. He encouraged them to preserve Indian languages and traditions.

India’s Global Leadership and Innovation

During the conference, Birla brought into light India’s advances under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He spoke about India’s progress in space technology, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. Cricket was described as a cultural bridge linking India and Barbados, enhancing people-to-people connections.

Bilateral Meetings with Commonwealth Leaders

Birla held bilateral talks with parliamentary leaders from Australia, Jamaica, and Zambia. With Sue Lines, President of the Australian Senate, he discussed the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on defence, trade, renewable energy, and technology. Invitations were extended for participation in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi in January 2026.

Multilateral Cooperation and Technology Integration

Discussions with Arthur Holder of Barbados reaffirmed commitment to multilateral platforms like the United Nations, G-77, and CARICOM. Both countries explored parliamentary exchanges and the adoption of AI-driven tools for citizen-centric governance. Meetings with Juliet Holness of Jamaica focused on legislative transparency and capacity-building through technology. Talks with Nelly Mutti of Zambia centred on modernising legislative processes using technology and AI to enhance governance.