Birla Welcomes Mongolian President at Parliament House
the Sunday Mail
New Delhi, October 14: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday said that India and Mongolia have immense potential for partnership in the areas of defense, health, information technology, and economic cooperation. Noting that India and Mongolia have strong bilateral relations based on the principles of democracy, religion, and development (3D), Mr. Birla emphasized that India and Mongolia share many shared traditions, ranging from history to spiritual heritage. Birla made this statement during his meeting with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa at Parliament House.
Mr. Birla was pleased to learn that India and Mongolia are celebrating the 70th
anniversary of their diplomatic relations. He commended the ever-deepening partnership between the two countries, noting that cooperation has expanded into many
new areas over these seven decades. Recalling his visit to Mongolia in 2023, he noted the strong commitment of both countries to parliamentary democracy.
Speaking about the shared Buddhist heritage, Mr. Birla said that the teachings of Lord Buddha are timeless, eternal, and relevant. He said that Lord Buddha’s mantra, “Bahujana Hitaya Bahujana Sukhaya,” is a guiding principle that continues to inspire India’s public policy even today. He also informed President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa that the Dharma Chakra is prominently inscribed above the Speaker’s seat in the Lok Sabha chamber, symbolizing India’s commitment to Dharma-based governance.
Mr. Birla also spoke about increasing women’s participation in all sectors in the country. He noted the significant progress made in recent years to promote women’s representation socially, economically, and politically. He explained that the Constitution of India provides for 33% reservation for women in grassroots representative bodies, and some states have increased this to 50%. Additionally, Mr. Birla also mentioned the “Nari Shakti Vandan Act,” the first law passed in the new Parliament building, which provides for the reservation of 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. He said that this law symbolizes India’s constitutional commitment to women-led development.
Regarding the new Parliament building, Mr. Birla informed the delegation that despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the construction of the building was completed in record time. He proudly stated that the building symbolizes the aspirations of all Indians and prominently displays Buddhist philosophy. For example, one of its galleries displays the motto “Buddham Saranam Gachhami, Dhammam Saranam Gachhami, Sangham Saranam Gachhami” (I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha) along with teachings that encourage individuals to be as radiant as light.
Speaking about the growing parliamentary ties between India and Mongolia, Mr. Birla said that regular parliamentary exchanges have been a key pillar of the relationship between the two countries. He expressed his desire to further strengthen this tradition. Referring to the MoU signed to enhance parliamentary cooperation during his 2023 visit to Mongolia, Mr. Birla encouraged Mongolian parliamentarians and officials to utilize India’s world-class Parliamentary Democracy Research and Training Institute (PRIDE) for training and capacity building.
On this occasion, Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, referring to the visit of Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla to Mongolia in 2023, said that Mr. Birla’s charismatic presence has further strengthened parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Emphasizing India’s role as a key partner, President Ukhnaa described India as Mongolia’s “spiritual neighbor and a great friend.” He described India as a rapidly growing economic power that is making a meaningful contribution to global peace and stability. Appreciating India’s leadership in the Global South, he expressed hope for continued cooperation between the two countries in multilateral forums for mutual benefit.
