New Delhi, Oct 27 (reported by IANS): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Mongkol Surasajja, President of the Senate of Thailand, in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, education, defence, Ayurveda and yoga, on the sidelines of the two-day 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

"Delighted to meet H.E. Mr. Mongkol Surasajja, President of the Senate of Thailand, and reaffirmed the enduring friendship between India and Thailand, rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilisational ties. We discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, tourism, education, defence, Ayurveda and yoga, with India's Act East Policy providing fresh impetus to our partnership," Birla posted on X.

Counterterrorism and disaster management also discussed

Birla said the two sides also explored deeper parliamentary cooperation, sharing best practices and collaboration in counterterrorism, disaster management and international affairs, including within the BRICS framework, to advance shared priorities and people's welfare. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was also present at the meeting, Nation Press reported.

The meeting was held at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House complex. The BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which commenced on Monday, has brought together parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and advance people-centric development.

Surasajja arrived in New Delhi on October 25 to attend the forum. The Lok Sabha said on X that he was received at IGI Airport by MPs Sandhya Ray and Dilip Saikia.