Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Welcomes President of Mongolia at Parliament House

Neeti Gopendra Bhatt

New Delhi . Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and his accompanying delegation at Parliament House on Tuesday.

Regarding the new Parliament building, Birla informed President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and the delegation that despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the construction of the building was completed in record time. The building symbolizes the aspirations of all Indians and prominently displays Buddhist philosophy. For example, one of its galleries displays the motto "Buddham Sharanam Gachhami, Dhammam Sharanam Gachhami, Sangham Sharanam 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 become as radiant as light.

Speaking about the shared Buddhist heritage, Birla said that the teachings of Lord Buddha are timeless, eternal, and relevant. He said that Lord Buddha's mantra, "Bahujana Hitaya Bahujan 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, symbolizing India's commitment to Dharma-based governance.

Lok Sabha Speaker Birla said that there is immense potential for partnership between India and Mongolia in the areas of defense, health, information technology, and economic cooperation. Noting that India and Mongolia's bilateral relations are strong, based on the principles of democracy, religion, and development (3D), Birla emphasized that India and Mongolia share many shared traditions, ranging from history to spiritual heritage.

Birla noted 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 over the past seven decades, cooperation has expanded into several new areas. Recalling his visit to Mongolia in 2023, he noted the strong commitment of both countries to parliamentary democracy. Speaking about the growing parliamentary ties between India and Mongolia, 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 during his 2023 visit to Mongolia to enhance parliamentary cooperation, Birla encouraged Mongolian parliamentarians and officials to utilize India's world-class Institute for Research and Training on Parliamentary Democracy (PRIDE) for training and capacity building.

Birla also spoke about increasing women's participation in all sectors in the country. Referring to the significant progress made in recent years to promote women's representation socially, economically, and politically, he explained that the Indian Constitution provides for 33% reservation for women in grassroots representative bodies, and some states have increased this to 50%. Furthermore, Mr. Birla also mentioned the "Nari Shakti Vandan Act," the first law passed in the new Parliament House, 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.

On this occasion, His Excellency Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia, referred to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's visit to Mongolia in 2023, stating that 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 powerhouse that is making meaningful contributions to global peace and stability. Commending India's leadership in the Global South, he expressed hope for continued cooperation between the two countries in multilateral forums for mutual benefit.