Jaipur: Senior UK Conservative Party leader and Member of Parliament Bob Blackman met with Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devanani at the state assembly complex in a courtesy visit. The meeting is considered significant for enhancing parliamentary dialogue, democratic values, and bilateral cooperation between India and the UK. Speaker Devanani welcomed and felicitated the British MP.

During the meeting, Speaker Devanani introduced Blackman to the working procedures, traditions, and modern innovations of the Rajasthan Assembly. He highlighted the Assembly’s unique architecture and its status as one of India’s leading legislatures, noting innovations such as the Digital Assembly, e-Legislation system, digital signatures of MLAs, Constitution Gallery, Vande Mataram Gallery, and Kargil Shaurya Vatika, which connect democracy with modern technology and national consciousness.

The Speaker also emphasized Rajasthan’s cultural heritage, tourism potential, and tradition of social harmony, stating that the state is renowned not only for its historical landmarks but also for its commitment to democratic values and citizen participation. Blackman was given a tour of the Assembly building and various galleries, with discussions highlighting Rajasthan’s architectural and cultural significance.

UK MP Bob Blackman praised the strength of Indian democracy and its parliamentary traditions, calling India the world’s largest democracy and citing its parliamentary system as a global model. He noted similarities between Indian and British parliamentary practices and emphasized that experience-sharing between the two countries can further strengthen democratic institutions.

The discussions also covered India–UK historical relations, current global scenarios, and future cooperation. Blackman appreciated India’s rapidly growing economy, technological progress, and international influence, noting India’s pivotal role in global politics and economics.

He also commended the innovations implemented in the Rajasthan Assembly, observing that such efforts help connect democracy with citizens and inspire youth to embrace democratic values. Both leaders expressed concern over global issues like urbanization, environmental challenges, and sanitation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to explore collaboration in education, culture, tourism, and parliamentary training. Speaker Devanani expressed confidence that international parliamentary visits like this would further strengthen India’s democratic image globally, while Bob Blackman thanked the Speaker for Rajasthan’s warm hospitality. Devanani noted that the meeting would give new energy and direction to India–UK friendly relations.

It is noteworthy that Bob Blackman, awarded the Padma Shri (2020) and recognized as a strong supporter of India and the Indian community in the UK Parliament, had met Speaker Devanani in London three months ago, during which he was invited to visit the Rajasthan Assembly—a visit he fulfilled on Monday.

The meeting was attended by former Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Juli, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Jogaram Patel, Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg, MLAs Kalicharan Sarraf (Malviya Nagar), Arjunlal Jeengar (Kapasan), Rafiq Khan (Adarsh Nagar), and Assembly Secretary Bharat Bhushan Sharma.

 

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