KALYAN: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde from the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency has been appointed president of the India–Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group, becoming the youngest Member of Parliament currently chosen to lead one of the parliamentary friendship platforms.At 39, Shinde — a three-term Lok Sabha member from Maharashtra — also serves as the Shiv Sena’s group leader in Parliament. His nomination is seen as a significant boost to India’s parliamentary outreach efforts aimed at strengthening ties with partner nations.Reacting to his appointment, Shinde described the move as a “moment of pride” for his party and the people of Maharashtra. In a post on X, he noted that Parliamentary Friendship Groups act as vital channels for advancing India’s diplomatic engagement while promoting democratic exchanges and people-to-people connections. He said he looks forward to working with colleagues across party lines to deepen cooperation between India and Indonesia in cultural, economic, and social spheres.The India–Indonesia group comprises 10 MPs from multiple parties, including Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose.This is the second time Shinde has been selected to lead an international parliamentary delegation. Previously, he headed an all-party delegation formed after Operation Sindoor. During that outreach in May 2025, the delegation visited the United Arab Emirates, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where members articulated India’s position on key strategic and diplomatic issues.Shrikant Shinde is the son of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
