The Right Honourable Dr. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, SC., MP, FAPRA, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, met with the Speaker of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri Om Birla on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC).
Speaker Mutti expressed delight that Zambia and India continue to enjoy cordial bilaterial relations for over 60 years, a feat which she said underscores the depth and resilience of the partnership.
Speaker Mutti also took a moment to express gratitude to the Indian government for the support rendered to Zambia when the donated 2500 metric tonnes of maize following the drought which the country suffered in 2024. Further, Speaker Mutti thanked the Indian government for supporting Zambia’s developmental agenda, including the health support given to patients from Zambia who seek medical attention in India.
She also noted that the construction a drug manufacturing plant between Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals and the Zambian Government, in the Lusaka Multi Facility Economic Zone will significantly reduce dependance on imported drugs.
Speaker Mutti also acknowledged the contribution of India’s companies to Zambia’s Foreign Direct Investment which is estimated in excess of Four Billion United States Dollars.
Shri Om Birla congratulated Dr. Mutti on her historic role as the first woman Speaker of Zambia and appreciated her leadership in parliamentary reforms.
"Pleasant meeting with Ms. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, on the sidelines of the 28th CSPOC. Congratulated her on her historic role as the first woman Speaker of Zambia and appreciated her leadership in parliamentary reforms and women's empowerment," Om Birla said.
The two leaders exchanged views on leveraging digital technologies and AI for transparent and citizen-centric parliamentary functioning.
Speaker Mutti and her counterpart exchanged views on strengthening Parliament-to-Parliament cooperation, regular parliamentary exchanges, and leveraging digital technologies and AI for transparent and citizen-centric parliamentary functioning.
Birla was delighted as he noted that the two Speakers were on the same platform on development-oriented partnership, youth participation, capacity building, and people-to-people linkages.
He expressed hope that the dialogue between the two Speakers would impart renewed momentum to the bilateral ties of the two Parliaments.
The Conference of Speaker’s which will be chaired by Speaker Om Birla, will deliberate on a wide range of contemporary parliamentary issues, including the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in maintaining strong democratic institutions, the use of Artificial Intelligence in parliamentary functioning, the impact of social media on Members of Parliament, innovative strategies to enhance public understanding of Parliament, and civic engagement beyond voting.
CSPOC is being hosted by the Parliament of India, New Delhi, from January 14 to 16th, 2026.
