National News (16/01/2026): The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Thursday held a wide-ranging and cordial meeting with Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, at Parliament House in New Delhi. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), which India is hosting from January 14 to 16, 2026.
Welcoming the Lord Speaker to the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President expressed satisfaction over his participation in the conference, noting that it reflected the enduring friendship and strong parliamentary linkages between India and the United Kingdom. He remarked that the visit provided an important opportunity for deeper engagement with India’s parliamentary traditions, democratic institutions, and cultural heritage.
During the discussions, the Vice President underlined the long and multifaceted historical relationship between India and the United Kingdom, particularly the shared parliamentary legacy that has evolved over centuries. He observed that while India’s parliamentary system was inspired by the Westminster model, it has developed independently to suit the country’s diverse and vibrant democratic framework.
Emphasizing shared democratic principles, the Vice President highlighted the common commitment of both Parliaments to the rule of law, parliamentary privileges, and robust democratic oversight of the executive. Referring to the Indian context, he stressed that freedom of speech must be exercised with responsibility and should not be misused for disruptive conduct within parliamentary proceedings. He noted that these shared values provide a strong basis for mutual learning and cooperation.
The Vice President also underscored the importance of parliamentary diplomacy as a key pillar of Commonwealth relations and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening inter-parliamentary engagement. He pointed out that India has actively hosted and participated in several parliamentary delegations and suggested exploring new avenues for joint workshops, training programmes, and structured knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Highlighting the growing role of technology in legislative institutions worldwide, the Vice President noted that India has adopted several digital initiatives, including e-Parliament systems, live streaming of proceedings, and digitisation of parliamentary records. He expressed interest in learning from the House of Lords’ experience in digital transformation, particularly in areas such as accessibility, transparency, and public engagement. He added that collaboration in the use of technology for legislative drafting, committee work, and citizen participation could offer significant benefits to both countries.
The Vice President observed that the Commonwealth remains a unique forum for parliamentarians to exchange ideas, strengthen democratic norms, and learn from shared experiences. He stressed that presiding officers carry a collective responsibility to ensure that parliamentary democracy remains effective and responsive to the needs of all sections of society.
He further suggested that India and the United Kingdom could jointly advocate key global priorities through parliamentary and multilateral platforms. These priorities include enhancing women’s participation in politics, strengthening climate resilience through legislative measures, expanding cooperation in education—particularly higher education as a soft power tool—and leveraging technology to promote inclusive, transparent, and citizen-focused governance.
Concluding the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed India’s firm commitment to democratic values, stating that these shared principles form a strong foundation for continued bilateral engagement. He expressed confidence that the visit would further deepen ties between the two nations and inspire collaborative initiatives that could serve as a model for the Commonwealth and the wider international community. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, was also present during the meeting.
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