Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, met with Ms. Nusrat Ghani, Deputy Speaker of the UK House of Commons, at the Parliament House in New Delhi, underscoring a shared commitment between India and the United Kingdom to deepen parliamentary cooperation and promote responsible technology adoption in governance.
During their interaction, the two presiding officers engaged in wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, particularly through regular parliamentary exchanges.
The meeting follows the recent landmark visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United Kingdom, during which the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed, paving the way for enhanced trade and economic collaboration.
Ms Ghani, who chairs the AI in Parliament Steering Group in the UK, is on an official visit to India to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving the functioning of parliamentary institutions.
She was briefed on the advancements made by the Indian Parliament in digitisation and the integration of AI-based tools to support legislative functions.
Highlighting the transformative potential of AI, Deputy Chairman Harivansh stated, “In the parliamentary context, Artificial Intelligence is a transformative tool to assist Members to carry out their responsibilities with greater effectiveness, improve legislative support, and facilitate better governance.” He also emphasised India’s proactive steps in digital adoption, including regular expert sessions and upskilling initiatives for parliamentary staff.
“India and the United Kingdom, with their shared democratic values and commitment to open governance, are uniquely positioned to jointly lead global efforts in shaping responsible technology frameworks for parliaments,” he added.
Ms. Ghani praised the initiatives undertaken by the Indian Parliament, acknowledging the detailed presentations by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats on the use of AI. She described the progress as “impressive and forward-looking,” and expressed interest in fostering collaborative learning between the two legislatures.
The visit comes in continuation of ongoing parliamentary diplomacy, including the visit of the Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha to the UK in January 2025, where India’s strides in AI adoption were a central topic of discussion with the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Also present at the meeting was Shri P.C. Mody, Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha.
The meeting signals a promising chapter in Indo-UK legislative cooperation, particularly in the realm of digital transformation and responsible AI use in democratic institutions.