Speaker Abdul Raheem departs for Commonwealth Speakers' conference in India

The Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, has departed for New Delhi, India, to participate in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC). 

According to the People’s Majlis, the Speaker is accompanied on this official visit, scheduled from today until January 18, 2026, by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, the Chief of Bureau at the Majlis Secretariat Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik, and Senior Foreign Relations Officer Aishath Eeman.

The 28th edition of the conference is set to officially commence this coming Thursday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event during a ceremony held at "Samvidhan Sadan," the historic building of the Indian Parliament. 

The conference is expected to draw international presence, with Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 out of the 56 Commonwealth member nations confirmed to attend.

Bangladesh and Pakistan, two South Asian countries, will not be present at the conference this year. Pakistan's non-participation has not been explained, but Bangladesh's absence is explained by the current dissolution of its parliament. This occurs during a time when India and Pakistan are experiencing increased tension as a result of recent cross-border military operations. 

The Commonwealth is still a well-known voluntary organization made up of 56 sovereign nations, the majority of which were formerly colonized by the British.