PM Modi, Russian Duma Chief greet Om Birla on Birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Russian parliament Duma chairman on Sunday greeted Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on his birthday. “My best wishes to Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla Ji on his birthday. He is known for his calm leadership and unifying presence in the House,” Modi said in a social media post.

The prime minister said Birla’s commitment to strengthening legislative processes, fostering constructive debate and upholding the dignity of Parliament is widely respected. “He has worked tirelessly to make Parliament productive and people-centric. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life in the service of the nation,” Modi said.

Birla is the 17th Speaker of the Lok Sabha and was first elected to the post in 2019. He was re-elected to the post in June 2024.

Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin lauded Speaker Birla’s contribution to strengthening India-Russia cooperation as he extended birthday greetings to the Indian leader. The State Duma is the lower house of Russia’s parliament.

In a congratulatory message posted on the State Duma website, Volodin said, “State Duma deputies highly value your contribution to the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation and the especially privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India, strengthening the friendship between the peoples of our countries.” Wishing Birla good health, he added, “May success accompany you in everything.”

Volodin also recalled his visit to India in February this year. He was leading a Russian parliamentary delegation. During the visit, Volodin said, one of the main topics of discussion with Birla was legislative support for decisions taken by the leaders of both nations, along with measures to intensify inter-regional cooperation.