In a groundbreaking move, over 130 Indian lawmakers will attend the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Summit in Boston from August 4 to 6, 2025. This event marks a significant moment for India’s representation on the global democratic stage.
The delegation includes Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs) from 24 Indian states and spans 21 political parties. This diversity showcases the rich tapestry of Indian democracy.
This year’s summit marks the largest Indian legislative presence at an international meeting to date. It highlights the growing importance of global collaboration in democratic practices.
The initiative is driven by the National Legislators’ Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat), which focuses on enhancing India’s legislative community through international engagement, capacity building, and policy innovation. Dr. Rahul Karad, founder of NLC Bharat, emphasized that this delegation symbolizes the aspirations and hopes of over a billion citizens. He believes that by connecting different democracies, India can foster a globally engaged legislative framework.
During the summit, Indian lawmakers will engage with more than 2,000 U.S. state legislators and 7,000 lawmakers from around the world. They will dive into pressing topics like artificial intelligence in policy, cybersecurity, digital democracy, and ensuring voter trust. Such discussions are crucial, especially as public trust in government has seen significant fluctuations in recent years; for instance, a recent survey from Pew Research highlights that only about 20% of Americans believe their government represents the will of the people.
The itinerary will also include learning sessions about the U.S. legislative system and visits to key institutions. These experiences aim to boost understanding and create stronger ties between India and the U.S.—the world’s largest and oldest democracies.
This initiative builds upon the success of NLC Bharat 2023 in Mumbai and follows a smaller delegation’s participation at the NCSL summit in Louisville in 2024. Plans are already underway for further international legislative visits across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, reinforcing India’s commitment to contributing to global democratic discussions.
With the NLC Bharat 2025, Indian leaders are poised not only to learn from global best practices but also to share India’s rich legislative experiences. This journey is set to strengthen India’s legislative framework, making it more agile and responsive for the future.