Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrives in Bahrain for Inter-Parliamentary Union

Will also hold several bilaterals with counterparts,” Birla said in a tweet. Later yesterday, Birla offered prayers at the ancient Srinathji Temple in Manama, Bahrain.

Today, the Indian delegation will participate in the Asia Pacific Group meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Later, Birla will lead members of the Indian delegation at the opening ceremony in the Plenary Hall under the patronage of the King of Bahrain.

During their stay in Manama, the Indian Parliamentary delegation will also attend the General Debate of the 146th Assembly of the IPU on Sunday. Birla will address the Assembly on topic: "Promoting peaceful co-existence and inclusive societies: Fight against intolerance".

In addition, Birla will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from several countries. Among other dignitaries, Birla will meet the Presiding Officers of the Parliaments of the G20 countries and personally invite them to the P20 Summit to be held in New Delhi later this year.

Also arriving in Bahrain yesterday for IPU Assembly were Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council, Muhammad al-Halbousi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Sahibha Ghafarova, Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Thamer Al-Dhafiri, Head of the National Assembly delegation of Kuwait and Chairman of the Shura Council in Qatar, Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim.