India, Kenya share millennia-old ties: LS Speaker Om Birla

India and Kenya share historical and multifaceted relations dating back thousands of years, with regular high-level engagements further strengthening bilateral ties, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Thursday.

LS Speaker Birla made the remarks during a meeting with Speaker of Kenya’s National Assembly Moses M. Wetang’ula at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi. The Kenyan parliamentary delegation is currently on a bilateral visit to India.

Recalling his earlier interaction with Wetang’ula during the 28th Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CSPOC) held in New Delhi earlier this year, LS Speaker Birla appreciated the Kenyan Speaker’s extensive experience in law, legislation and public administration.

People-to-people ties at the heart of relations

LS Speaker Birla highlighted the centuries-old people-to-people connections between India and Kenya and welcomed Kenya’s decision to recognise Persons of Indian Origin as an indigenous community.

He said both countries share a commitment to democracy, inclusive development and human-centric progress, giving the bilateral relationship greater depth.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s influence on Kenya’s freedom struggle, LS Speaker Birla said Gandhi remains a global symbol of the peaceful pursuit of truth and non-violence. He also appreciated Wetang’ula’s support for the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Kenyan Parliament.

India offers parliamentary technology expertise

Highlighting India’s democratic experience, LS Speaker Birla said Parliament remains the highest forum of democracy where citizens’ aspirations are articulated. He noted that parliamentary engagement between India and Kenya has been steadily expanding through Parliamentary Friendship Groups and exchanges of delegations.

LS Speaker Birla also pointed to the training and capacity-building programmes organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) for Kenyan parliamentarians and officials.

With technology becoming increasingly important to parliamentary functioning, LS Speaker Birla said the Indian Parliament has leveraged artificial intelligence to enhance transparency, efficiency, inclusivity and public participation. He expressed India’s willingness to share its experience in the use of AI and technology with the Kenyan Parliament.

Kenya backs India’s permanent UNSC membership

Responding to LS Speaker Birla, Wetang’ula thanked him for the warm welcome and recalled the 28th CSPOC in New Delhi as one of the best-organised parliamentary events.

He highlighted the significant contribution of people of Indian origin to Kenya’s growth and development, noting their presence across various sectors, including Parliament and government.

Wetang’ula also emphasised the strong India-Kenya relationship in multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations. He called for reforms of the UN Security Council and supported India’s inclusion as a permanent member, arguing that its representation would better reflect the realities of the 21st century.