Terrorism Is the Greatest Threat to Civilization and Human Development: Om Birla

New Delhi, May 27 – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday described terrorism as the gravest threat to civilization and human progress, regardless of its form. “A threat to one country or one region is a threat to humanity,” he said, expressing hope for a unified global front in combating terrorism.

Birla made these remarks during a bilateral meeting with a visiting Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvie Salih, at Parliament House. He called on democratic nations worldwide to work together against the global menace of terrorism.

Welcoming the delegation, Birla emphasized the deep-rooted ties between India and Sri Lanka, grounded in shared cultural, spiritual, and civilizational values. He also appreciated Sri Lanka’s solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.

The Sri Lankan delegation is participating in a week-long capacity-building program organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).

Highlighting the strong cultural bond between the two countries, Birla noted the shared Buddhist heritage and growing cooperation in areas like fintech, digital infrastructure, and connectivity—citing the recent introduction of UPI-based payments in Sri Lanka and improved ferry and flight services.

Birla also spoke about technological advancements in the Indian Parliament, including efforts to increase transparency and public engagement through digital and AI-based tools. He underscored the importance of capacity building for parliamentarians and the positive impact of regular exchanges between legislative bodies.

PRIDE, Birla said, has trained legislators and officials from over 110 countries, further strengthening global parliamentary collaboration.

In his remarks, Dr Salih thanked Speaker Birla for the warm hospitality and extended greetings from the people of Sri Lanka. He emphasized the enduring historical and cultural ties between the two nations.