Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan from Assam has been nominated as a member of the India-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha, as announced by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on February 23, 2026.
Nomination Details and Purpose
The official communication from Director L.V. Ramana informed Bhuyan of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s nomination, recognizing his parliamentary experience. These friendship groups foster bilateral legislative dialogue, exchange best practices, and strengthen diplomatic ties through policy discussions and mutual understanding.
Bhuyan’s inclusion aims to deepen India-Saudi Arabia engagement at the parliamentary level, complementing growing strategic partnerships in energy, defense, and trade.
Broader Parliamentary Diplomacy Initiative
This follows Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s December 2025 announcement to constitute the group after meetings with Saudi Shura Council delegations. Over 60 such groups have been formed with global partners, including nominations like Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to the India-Philippines group amid political debates.
The groups support PM Modi’s vision of parliamentary diplomacy across G20, P20, and IPU platforms.
Bhuyan’s Background and Significance
A veteran journalist-turned-politician representing Assam since 2020, Bhuyan brings expertise to Northeast India’s role in Gulf ties. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted growing Saudi investments in the state, making this nomination timely for regional economic corridors.
