In a significant step towards strengthening democratic engagement between India and Germany, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani visited the office of the Regierender Bürgermeister (Governing Mayor of Berlin) and the Berlin State Assembly (Abgeordnetenhaus) on Tuesday, June 24, during an official visit to the German capital. The visit marked a symbolic and functional exchange between two democratic institutions rooted in history but looking toward the future through digital governance and civic participation.
Berlin Assembly as a Symbol of Living Democracy
Welcoming Devnani, the Mayor of Berlin described the State Assembly building not only as a center of political authority but also as a living symbol of Germany’s modern democratic ethos. The visit included a guided tour of the assembly chambers and administrative offices, where Devnani closely observed the functioning of Berlin’s state-level legislative and executive systems.
Devnani expressed admiration for the way Berlin integrates digital technologies into public administration while ensuring transparency, efficiency, and citizen accountability. “The Berlin Senate’s administrative model is an excellent expression of organized democracy,” he said, adding that the seamless execution of public interest policies through a well-structured system is both impressive and instructive.
Digital Governance and Citizen Engagement in Focus
One of the highlights of Devnani’s visit was a detailed presentation on Berlin’s digital governance architecture—including its e-governance tools, citizen grievance redressal mechanisms, and participatory platforms that allow Berliners to contribute to policy dialogues.
He noted that Berlin, a city rich in historical and cultural legacy, has managed to reinvent itself into a tech-enabled, participatory democracy. “Berlin shows how cities can shape the future by combining tradition with innovation. This experience is extremely inspiring for the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly,” Devnani remarked.
Indo-German Exchange of Democratic Values
Calling the visit a “journey from one deliberative democracy to another,” Devnani highlighted the importance of dialogue between ancient civilizations like India and Germany, both of which uphold democratic ideals while navigating contemporary governance challenges.
“This visit is not just an administrative interaction. It is a confluence of experience, dialogue, and shared democratic values, which deepens Indo-German cooperation,” he stated. He congratulated Berlin’s leadership for creating a citizen-first governance model driven by innovation and inclusivity.
Strengthening Institutional Cooperation
The visit also emphasized the importance of institutional learning and subnational diplomacy. Devnani was accompanied by Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, who participated in official briefings and discussions with Berlin officials.
The delegation explored potential areas of future collaboration, such as digital infrastructure for parliaments, citizen consultation models, public transparency portals, and best practices in legislative functioning.
The visit is part of a broader effort by Indian state legislatures to learn from global benchmarks in public administration, especially as India deepens its partnerships with countries like Germany across governance, education, technology, and sustainability.
Background: India-Germany Legislative Engagement
Germany and India, both federal democracies, share a longstanding history of inter-parliamentary engagement and bilateral cooperation. Several Indian legislative leaders, including speakers of various state assemblies, have visited German states in recent years as part of parliamentary diplomacy and knowledge exchange programs.
This visit by Speaker Devnani contributes to the broader goal of modernizing legislative institutions in India, particularly by drawing lessons from Germany’s integration of civic technology, policy transparency, and institutional autonomy.
As geopolitical and digital landscapes evolve, democracies like India and Germany are increasingly investing in learning from one another’s governance systems. Speaker Vasudev Devnani’s visit to Berlin stands as a testament to this growing commitment to intergovernmental dialogue, democratic innovation, and shared values.
The Rajasthan Assembly’s engagement with the Berlin Senate is expected to inform future administrative reforms back home, especially in areas such as digital transformation, citizen outreach, and legislative transparency.
