Embassy of India

Mexico City

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PRESS RELEASE

Visit of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha H.E.  Shri. Om Birla to México

(31 August 2022 – 2 September 2022)

The Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India, equivalent of the Cámara de Diputados of Mexico, H.E. Shri Om Birla, led an Indian Parliamentary Delegation on an official visit to Mexico from 31st August - 2nd September, 2022. The delegation comprised Hon’ble Members of Parliament namely H.E. Ms. Veena Devi, H.E Mr. Ravindra Shyamnarayan Shukla and H.E. Mr. K.R. Suresh Reddy; Secretary General of Lok Sabha Shri Utpal Singh, and senior officials from the Parliament Secretariat.

2. 2.During the visit, the Hon’ble Speaker was hosted by the former President of Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies, H.E. Mr. Sergio Gutiérrez Luna for a banquet lunch. The Hon’ble Speaker along with the President of the Chamber of Deputies inaugurated an organic India-Mexico Parliamentary Friendship Garden at the main entrance of the Parliament of Mexico, that stands as a living symbol of the strong bond of friendship between India and Mexico. The garden is established with the support of UPL, one of the major crop protection and sustainable solutions company from India.


3. 3.The Hon’ble Speaker paid floral tribute at the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. Later, he unveiled a bust of the renowned freedom fighter Dr. Pandurang Khankhoje, at the Autonomous University of Chapingo in Mexico, the largest public agricultural university of Mexico. Speaking on this occasion, the Hon’ble Speaker recalled the contributions of Dr. Pandurang Khankhoje as an outstanding Indian revolutionary, scholar, agricultural scientist and statesman, and noted that his bust would serve as an inspiration for the coming generations.


4. 4.The Hon’ble Speaker led the Indian delegation in a bilateral meeting with his distinguished Mexican counterpart, the newly-elected President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Mexican Parliament, H.E. Mr. Santiago Creel. The discussions focused on India-Mexico bilateral relations, bilateral parliamentary cooperation as well as cooperation in other areas including economic, educational, science and technology. Both sides agreed on sharing best practices for strengthening of parliamentary democracies and learning from each other. The Indian delegation was also given a guided tour of the Mexican Parliament, including the assembly hall of the Parliament, where the delegation was also briefed about the functioning of the Mexican Parliament.


5. 5.As part of the government policy to actively engage with the Indian Diaspora, the Hon’ble Speaker and the delegation interacted with the Indian diaspora and Indian businesses in Mexico at an event organized by the Indian Diaspora through the Indian Association of Mexico (IAM), where Chairperson of the International Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Maria Fernanda Garza was also present.


6. 6.On 2 September 2022, the Hon’ble Speaker unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo in Mexico (UAEH). This is the first statue of Swami Vivekananda in Latin America. The Hon’ble Speaker mentioned that the installation of the statue of Swami Vivekananda in Mexico is a mark of our reverence and respect to him and observed that the teachings and personality of Swami Vivekananda have inspired people not only in India, but across the world and especially the youth. The Hon’ble Speaker also interacted with the students of the UAEH, who had gathered in large number at the function for unveiling the statue.

Figure 1: Inauguration of India-Mexico Parliamentary Friendship Garden

Figure 2: Paid floral tributes at the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi