68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference: India’s Participation

An Indian Parliamentary Delegation, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, is attending the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) being held in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 5 to 12 October 2025. The event serves as a vital platform for dialogue among lawmakers of Commonwealth nations, fostering discussions on strengthening democratic institutions, technological transformation, and inclusive governance.

68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Theme

• The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, organized annually by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), brings together presiding officers, parliamentarians, and secretaries from across member nations to exchange ideas and best practices on governance.
• The 68th edition focuses on the theme: “The Commonwealth – A Global Partner.”
• Discussions emphasize the role of legislatures in promoting democracy, sustainable development, and digital inclusion across Commonwealth nations.

Composition of the Indian Delegation

The Indian delegation represents both Houses of Parliament and several State and Union Territory Legislatures. It includes,

• Shri Om Birla, Speaker, Lok Sabha (Leader of Delegation)
• Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
• Shri Anurag Sharma, MP (Lok Sabha) & CPA Executive Committee Member
• Dr. D. Purandeswari, MP (Lok Sabha) & CWP Steering Committee Member
• Dr. K. Sudhakar, MP (Lok Sabha)
• Smt. Rekha Sharma, MP (Rajya Sabha)
• Dr. Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade, MP (Rajya Sabha)
• Shri Utpal Kumar Singh, Secretary-General, Lok Sabha
• Shri P. C. Mody, Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha

Additionally, 36 Presiding Officers and 16 Secretaries from 24 State and UT Legislatures will participate, representing India’s federal parliamentary system.

Key Agendas and Participation

1. Lok Sabha Speaker’s Address

Shri Om Birla will address the General Assembly on the theme “The Commonwealth – A Global Partner”, emphasizing India’s commitment to multilateralism, democratic cooperation, and equitable growth within the Commonwealth framework.

2. Workshop on Digital Democracy

The Speaker will also chair a workshop on “Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Democracy through Digital Transformations and Tackling the Digital Divide.”
The session aims to explore,

• Use of digital tools for citizen engagement,
• Enhancing legislative transparency, and
• Strategies to bridge digital inequalities among Commonwealth nations.

3. Executive Committee Meetings

• Shri Anurag Sharma, MP (Lok Sabha), will attend as Treasurer of CPA.
• Shri Bishwajit Daimary, Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, will join as one of the Regional Representatives from the Indian Region.

4. Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP)

• Dr. D. Purandeswari, MP (Lok Sabha), will represent India in the CWP Steering Committee and participate as a panellist in a discussion on “Good Practices and Strategies for Realising Gender-Sensitive Parliaments across the Commonwealth.”
• The focus will be on empowering women legislators and ensuring inclusive participation in policymaking.

5. State and UT Legislatures’ Role

Presiding Officers and Secretaries from various Indian legislatures will attend workshops and sessions on topics such as,

• Strengthening parliamentary accountability,
• Youth engagement in legislative processes, and
• Climate-resilient policymaking in Commonwealth democracies.

Bilateral and Diplomatic Engagements

• During his visit, Shri Om Birla will hold bilateral meetings with Speakers and Presiding Officers of other Commonwealth countries to enhance inter-parliamentary cooperation, exchange legislative best practices, and explore capacity-building partnerships.
• He will also meet the leadership of Barbados and interact with members of the Indian diaspora, reaffirming India’s cultural and diplomatic ties with Caribbean nations.

Significance for India

India’s participation at the CPC underscores several objectives,

• Showcasing parliamentary reforms such as e-Parliament, NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application), and live digital access to proceedings.
• Strengthening South-South cooperation within the Commonwealth.
• Enhancing India’s leadership role in shaping democratic norms and inclusive policy discourse.
• Advocating for gender-sensitive parliaments and digital inclusivity.

Static Facts

• Conference: 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC)
• Host Country: Barbados
• Venue: Bridgetown
• Dates: 5 – 12 October 2025
• Organiser: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
• Theme: “The Commonwealth – A Global Partner”
• Indian Delegation Head: Shri Om Birla, Speaker, Lok Sabha