Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi has been appointed as the President of the India–Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group. The group has been constituted to promote cooperation, mutual understanding, and institutional collaboration between India and the Philippines.
The Parliamentary Friendship Group is expected to play a constructive role in further strengthening bilateral ties in areas such as maritime security, defence, trade, education, and other sectors. By entrusting Gaurav Gogoi with the leadership of the group, the Lok Sabha leadership has assigned him the responsibility of advancing legislative dialogue and fostering closer engagement with members of the Philippine Parliament.
It may be noted that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted multiple Parliamentary Friendship Groups comprising members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The initiative aims to strengthen diplomatic relations and build closer ties with countries across the world. These groups facilitate exchanges on governance, trade, security, culture, and regional cooperation. Such mechanisms are increasingly regarded as important instruments of soft diplomacy, complementing formal executive-level engagements.
The appointment of Jorhat MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, to this position carries special significance. It may be recalled that on February 8, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had brought national-level journalists to Guwahati and, at a press conference, announced that the file related to an SIT probe into Gogoi’s alleged “Pakistan link” had been forwarded to the Union Home Ministry.
The APCC stated that the appointment by the Lok Sabha Speaker has exposed what it described as politically motivated propaganda and aggressive investigation, and that by appointing him as President of the India–Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Lok Sabha has demonstrated respect and confidence in Gaurav Gogoi at the national and international levels.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has congratulated its President, Gaurav Gogoi, on his appointment and condemned what it termed as the Chief Minister’s political motives. Assam Legislative Assembly Leader of the Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, also extended his congratulations to Gaurav Gogoi on being entrusted with the responsibility.
In a social media post, Saikia remarked that the development was a “fitting reply” and that the politics of misinformation had clearly been defeated. He stated, “Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made desperate attempts to portray APCC President and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, as an agent of Pakistan. Questioning the patriotism of an elected MP for political gain, attempting to mislead public opinion through baseless allegations, and indulging in propaganda-driven politics are extremely harmful for democracy. From those in power, responsibility and fact-based statements are expected—not slander. Today, by appointing Gaurav Gogoi as President of the India–Philippines Friendship Group, the Lok Sabha Speaker has sent a clear message that there is trust in him at both the national and international levels.”
Meanwhile, in a statement, APCC Media Department Chairman Bedabrat Bora alleged that false propaganda had been carried out to mislead the public and demanded that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and MP as well as Assam BJP State President Dilip Saikia tender an unconditional public apology before the people for the misinformation campaign.