Prime Minister welcomes UK Prime Minister H.E. Keir Starmer on his first official visit to India

LOK SABHA SPEAKER ARRIVES IN BARBADOS FOR 68TH COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE (CPC), BEING HELD FROM 5–12 OCTOBER 2025 LOK SABHA SPEAKER TO CHAIR WORKSHOP ON “LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY: ENHANCING DEMOCRACY THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONS AND TACKLING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE” TODAY SHRI OM BIRLA TO ALSO ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 68TH CPC ON THE CONFERENCE THEME 'THE COMMONWEALTH: A GLOBAL PARTNER' Posted On: 08 OCT 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation, has arrived in Bridgetown, Barbados to attend the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) being held from October 5 to 12, 2025. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, one of the largest gatherings of parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth, provides a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting good governance, and addressing global challenges through parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation. On its arrival, the Indian delegation, headed by Speaker Shri Om Birla, participated in the opening ceremony of the Conference. The Indian Parliamentary Delegation includes Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Shri Anurag Sharma, MP and CPA Executive Committee Member; Dr. D. Purandeswari, MP and CWP Steering Committee Member; Dr. K. Sudhakar, MP; Smt. Rekha Sharma, MP; Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, MP; Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary General, Lok Sabha; and Shri P.C. Mody, Secretary General, Rajya Sabha. As part of the conference, Speaker Shri Om Birla will today chair a key workshop on the theme: “Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Democracy through Digital Transformations and Tackling the Digital Divide.” Shri Birla will also address the General Assembly of the 68th CPC on the theme “The Commonwealth: A Global Partner”, highlighting India’s commitment to democratic values, inclusive governance, and parliamentary transparency and global parliamentary cooperation. Throughout the Conference, seven thematic Workshops will be held on a range of contemporary issues. Members of the Indian delegation, including 36 Presiding Officers from 24 State/UT Legislatures of India, will participate in these Workshops. During the week-long conference, Shri Birla is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other Commonwealth nations to discuss issues of mutual interest and further enhance parliamentary cooperation. The 68th CPC, hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and the CPA Barbados branch, brings together more than 600 delegates from over 180 national, state, and provincial legislatures across the Commonwealth under the ‘The Commonwealth – A Global Partner.’ India has been an active participant in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s initiatives and has consistently contributed to strengthening the global democratic dialogue through parliamentary cooperation and capacity building.