What happened:
On January 14, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) at Samvidhan Sadan. Chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the conference brings together 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth countries, along with delegates from semi-autonomous parliaments. Discussions will focus on parliamentary innovation, including AI in Parliament, social media’s impact on legislators, and enhancing citizen engagement.
Why it matters to India:
Hosting CSPOC positions India as a key platform for strengthening democratic institutions, shaping debates on technology and governance, and reinforcing its leadership role within the Commonwealth parliamentary network.