**Executive Summary**
On April 2, 2026, a Russian Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Vladimir Yakushev met with Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla to strengthen bilateral parliamentary diplomacy. The dialogue focused on deepening a "time-tested" partnership through renewed institutional mechanisms, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Commission, and exploring new areas of collaboration. Key upcoming items include India hosting the BRICS Parliamentary Forum this year and the Russian delegation’s scheduled meetings with the Indian Parliamentary Committee on Communications and IT.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strengthening Parliamentary Diplomacy**
* **Institutional Engagement:** The Speaker emphasized the role of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission and suggested reconvening its next session, noting the last meeting occurred in 2018.
* **Friendship Groups:** The formation of the India–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Indian Parliament is expected to bolster diplomatic exchanges.
* **Multilateral Cooperation:** Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating within platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and G20/P20.
**Bilateral and Emerging Collaboration**
* **Core Sectors:** Discussions highlighted robust existing cooperation in defense, trade, and economic engagement.
* **Future Avenues:** Emerging sectors including space research, artificial intelligence (AI), and clean energy were identified as priority areas for future joint efforts.
* **Energy and Trade:** Russian representatives expressed hope for even closer ties specifically regarding trade and energy sectors.
**Cultural and People-to-People Ties**
* **Education:** Over 35,000 Indian students are currently studying in Russian universities, serving as a bridge between the two nations.
* **Cultural Exchange:** The popularity of Indian cinema and yoga in Russia, alongside the success of the ‘Bharat Utsav’ festival in Moscow, reflects a deep cultural affinity.
* **Community Welfare:** The Indian Speaker expressed gratitude to the Russian government for ensuring the welfare and well-being of the Indian community residing in Russia.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian and Russian Legislatures**
**Impact:**
The legislatures are set for increased interaction through newly formed friendship groups and the revival of stalled institutional commissions.
**Action Required:**
Both sides must coordinate a mutually convenient time to reconvene the Inter-Parliamentary Commission and facilitate upcoming meetings with the Parliamentary Committee on Communications and IT.
**The Indian Government (as BRICS Chair)**
**Impact:**
India holds a leadership role in upcoming multilateral parliamentary engagements.
**Action Required:**
India is required to host the BRICS Parliamentary Forum later this year.
**Lok Sabha Speaker**
**Impact:**
Direct invitation to engage in high-level diplomacy on Russian soil.
**Action Required:**
Shri Om Birla has been invited to visit Russia to further restart the Inter-Parliamentary Commission.
**Science and Technology Sectors**
**Impact:**
New opportunities for growth and partnership in high-tech industries.
**Action Required:**
Relevant agencies and industries in space research, AI, and clean energy should prepare for potential bilateral collaboration frameworks.
Key Entities Referenced
India–Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group: An institutional mechanism formed within the Indian Parliament to strengthen diplomatic engagement and facilitate structured dialogue with Russian legislators.
Inter-Parliamentary Commission: A high-level bilateral mechanism between the legislatures of India and Russia intended to foster institutional cooperation, with discussions underway to restart its sessions.
BRICS Parliamentary Forum: A multilateral platform where India, acting as Chair, hosts parliamentary discussions to address global challenges and strengthen collective engagement among member states.
Om Birla: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha who hosted the Russian delegation to deepen parliamentary diplomacy and explore collaboration in defense, trade, and emerging technologies.
Vladimir Yakushev: First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council of Russia and Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group, who led the delegation to reinforce the Indo-Russian strategic partnership.
Lok Sabha Secretariat
INDIA–RUSSIA PARLIAMENTARY TIES SET TO
DEEPEN THROUGH RENEWED DIALOGUE AND
COOPERATION: LOK SABHA SPEAKER
LOK SABHA SPEAKER CALLS FOR FURTHER
STRENGTHENING PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY AND TO
EXPLORE NEW AREAS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN
INDIA AND RUSSIA
INDIA–RUSSIA PARLIAMENTARY ENGAGEMENT GAINS
MOMENTUM: RUSSIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION
CALL ON LOK SABHA SPEAKER
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
A Russian Parliamentary Delegation led by H.E. Mr. Vladimir Yakushev, First Deputy Chairperson,
Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation called on Lok Sabha Speaker Shri
Om Birla in Parliament House, today.
Welcoming the distinguished Russian delegation, the Speaker congratulated Mr. Yakushev on his
appointment as Chairman of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Federation Council. The Speaker
noted that this appointment reflects Russia’s continued commitment to enhancing parliamentary
cooperation with India.
Highlighting that India–Russia Parliamentary ties are set to deepen through renewed dialogue and
cooperation, Shri Birla observed that the two countries share a time-tested partnership rooted in mutual
trust and understanding. Since India’s independence, Russia has remained one of its closest and most
reliable partners, and the friendship between the people of both countries continue to serve as a model for
international cooperation, he noted.
The Speaker recalled the recent high-level engagements between the two countries, and the continued
dialogue between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Russia, Mr. Vladimir Putin. These
interactions, the Speaker emphasized, have further strengthened bilateral ties and opened new avenues for
cooperation.
Both sides acknowledged the importance of collaboration in multilateral parliamentary platforms such as
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), BRICS Parliamentary Forum, and G20. The Speaker stressed the
need to further deepen this cooperation to address global challenges collectively. The discussions also
highlighted the robust bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as defence, trade, and economic
engagement. Emerging areas including space research, artificial intelligence, and clean energy were
identified as promising avenues for future collaboration.The Speaker also noted the strong cultural and people-to-people connections between India and Russia.
The presence of a large number of Indian students in Russian universities, along with the popularity of
yoga and Indian cinema in Russia, reflects the deep cultural affinity between the two nations. The recent
‘Bharat Utsav ’cultural festival held in Moscow, which witnessed significant public participation, was
cited as a testament to the growing interest in Indian culture among Russian citizens. Appreciating the
support extended by the Russian government to the Indian community residing in Russia, the Speaker
expressed gratitude for ensuring their welfare and well-being.
Emphasizing the role of institutional mechanisms, the Speaker highlighted the significance of the Inter-
Parliamentary Commission in fostering closer ties between the legislatures of both countries. Noting that
the last meeting of the Commission was held in 2018, the Speaker suggested that both sides may consider
convening its next session at a mutually convenient time. The Speaker also underlined the importance of
parliamentary friendship groups in enhancing dialogue and cooperation. The formation of the India–
Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Indian Parliament is expected to further strengthen
parliamentary exchanges and diplomatic engagement.
Expressing confidence in the future of India–Russia relations, the Speaker stated that such high-level
interactions would continue to reinforce parliamentary friendship and contribute to the broader bilateral
partnership.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Yakushev, First Deputy Chairperson, Federation Council of
the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation thanked Shri Birla for the warm reception and for taking
time out of his busy schedule to meet with the Russian Delegation. H.E. Mr. Yakushev noted that the Indo-
Russian strategic partnership is of utmost importance to Russia. Underlining the close parliamentary
cooperation between the two countries and on various global platforms like BRICS and P20 H.E. Mr.
Yakushev said that as the BRICS Chair, India will be hosting the BRICS Parliamentary Forum this year.
H.E. Mr. Yakushev, welcomed the formation of the India Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group and
informed that during his India visit, the Russian Delegation will be holding meetings with the
Parliamentary Committee on Communications and IT and with the India Russia Parliamentary
Friendship Group.
He also extended an invitation to Shri Birla to visit Russia and restart the Inter-Parliamentary
Commission. He also observed that the two nations have close cultural and people ties. H.E. Mr. Vladimir
Yakushev noted that more than Thirty-Five Thousand Indian students study in Russia and contribute to
close relations between the two countries. He expressed hope for closer ties between the two countries
across multiple sectors like trade and energy.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further
strengthening India–Russia relations across all dimensions.
Pleased to meet H.E. Vladimir Yakushev, First Deputy Chairperson of the
Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation along with
members of the Russian Parliamentary delegation at the Parliament House.
We exchanged views on cooperation in areas such as… pic.twitter.com/voEKYKl
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— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) April 2, 2026
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