The Speaker of the Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, has paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla, during an official visit to New Delhi.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), where Speaker Abdul Raheem commended India for what he described as exemplary arrangements. He noted that the meticulous planning and thoughtful execution of the conference reflected the Lok Sabha’s enduring commitment to fostering parliamentary dialogue and cooperation across the Commonwealth.
Discussions also centred on the deep-rooted friendship between the Maldives and India, with Speaker Abdul Raheem highlighting the shared democratic values underpinning bilateral ties. He underscored the importance of further strengthening relations between the two parliaments, describing inter-parliamentary engagement as a vital pillar of the broader partnership between the two nations.
The Maldivian Speaker expressed particular appreciation for the training and capacity-building programmes extended to staff of the People’s Majlis Secretariat under an existing memorandum of understanding between the two legislatures. He acknowledged the tangible benefits of these initiatives and explored ways to further institutionalise parliamentary cooperation, with a view to reinforcing an already robust and successful framework of collaboration.
Speaker Om Birla, in response, emphasised the central role of parliamentary engagement in nurturing bilateral relations, affirming a shared commitment to deepening cooperation between the two democratic institutions.
The meeting reaffirmed the close and evolving partnership between Male’ and New Delhi, rooted in mutual respect, sustained dialogue and a common commitment to parliamentary democracy.