Biplab Deb appointed President of India-Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group in 18th Lok Sabha, aiming to boost bilateral ties, parliamentary cooperation, and diplomatic engagement between India and Bhutan while balancing key political responsibilities in eastern India.
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has nominated Biplab Kumar Deb, Member of Parliament from West Tripura, as the President of the India-Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha. The appointment is being viewed as an important step toward strengthening inter-parliamentary engagement and enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Bhutan.
The India-Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group has been formally constituted during the tenure of the Lok Sabha to promote structured dialogue, exchange of best parliamentary practices, and collaborative efforts on issues of mutual interest. The initiative reflects India’s continued emphasis on deepening diplomatic ties with its Himalayan neighbor, Bhutan, which has traditionally shared close strategic and cultural relations with New Delhi.
Before being elected to the Lok Sabha, Deb briefly served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. He also previously held the office of Chief Minister of Tripura, where he played a key role in shaping the political landscape of the northeastern state. His administrative experience and familiarity with regional geopolitics are expected to add weight to his leadership of the parliamentary friendship group.
Currently, Deb is also entrusted with overseeing crucial poll preparations for the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, underlining his growing prominence within party ranks. Balancing domestic political responsibilities with an international parliamentary role signals the party leadership’s confidence in his organizational and diplomatic capabilities.
Apart from Deb, the India-Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group comprises several Members of Parliament from both Houses. The Lok Sabha members include Kalaben Mohanbhai Delkar, Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje, Ajendra Singh Lodhi, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo, Lumbaram Choudhary, Bharat Singh Kushwah, and Chh Udayanraje Bhonsle. Representing the Rajya Sabha are Umesh Nath Balyogi, Rajathi alias Salma, and A D Singh. The multi-party composition of the group reflects a broader parliamentary consensus on nurturing India’s relationship with Bhutan.
The core objective of the India-Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship Group is to facilitate regular exchanges between lawmakers of both nations. Such forums help build mutual understanding, share legislative experiences, and foster cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, border management, education, hydropower collaboration, and regional security.
India and Bhutan share a unique and time-tested partnership grounded in trust, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation. Parliamentary diplomacy serves as a complementary channel to executive-level engagements, strengthening people-to-people connections and institutional collaboration. With Deb at the helm, observers believe the group may adopt a more proactive approach in promoting policy dialogue and structured parliamentary interactions.
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The formation of this group during the 18th Lok Sabha term underscores India’s broader neighborhood-first approach. As geopolitical dynamics evolve in South Asia, structured parliamentary engagement with Bhutan remains a crucial pillar of bilateral diplomacy.
