Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Highlights Collaboration with Scottish Parliament and AI in Strengthening Democracy.
New Delhi:
Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, emphasized the importance of Indian and Scottish Parliaments learning from each other’s experiences in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technology to enhance parliamentary productivity. This statement was made during a meeting with John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland, as part of Birla’s ongoing visit to the United Kingdom.
The discussions between Birla and Swinney focused on shared democratic values and potential cooperation across various sectors, including green energy, IT, AI, and education. The Speaker highlighted India’s ambition to become the third-largest global economy and reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of global peace through ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’.
In the context of education, Birla noted that India’s new Education Policy has opened avenues for foreign universities, including Scottish institutions, to establish a presence in India. The First Minister expressed interest in visiting India, acknowledging the vibrant parliamentary systems in both countries.
Additionally, Birla met with Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, at Queensberry House. The two leaders discussed enhancing parliamentary cooperation, with Birla sharing India’s strides toward gender equality and women empowerment. He highlighted legislative initiatives such as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and India’s shift from ‘women’s development’ to ‘women-led development.’
The Speaker also interacted with members of the Scottish Parliament, emphasizing India’s strong and efficient parliamentary system. He underlined the importance of meaningful discussion and the Committee system in shaping India’s democracy.
Earlier in his visit, Birla engaged with the Indian community in London, urging them to capitalize on the vast opportunities in India’s emerging economy. He also met former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to discuss shared values and the role of AI and technology in shaping democratic processes. Birla concluded his visit by paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his statue in London.
