BRICS Parliamentary Forum Begins in Delhi, PM Modi to Meet Delegation Heads
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Speakers and heads of delegations from member and partner countries later in the day, while Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will deliver the inaugural address.
FOUR THEMES ON THE AGENDA
Hosted by the Parliament of India, the two-day forum is being held under the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development”. The delegations represent 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations. Discussions will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, including legislative oversight of artificial intelligence, emerging digital technologies, institutional capacity-building and sustainable development.
The forum will also host a meeting of parliamentary committee chairpersons on international affairs to discuss parliamentary diplomacy, legislative practices and institutional cooperation. Bilateral and multilateral meetings among delegates are expected alongside the main sessions.
INDIA-RUSSIA DISCUSSIONS AHEAD OF FORUM
Ahead of the gathering, Birla met a Russian parliamentary delegation led by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin on October 25. The two sides discussed cooperation in multilateral institutions, counterterrorism and closer parliamentary engagement.
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Birla reiterated India’s call for reform of the United Nations Security Council and thanked Russia for supporting India’s bid for permanent membership.
Volodin called for greater bilateral trade, investment and joint business ventures, while underscoring the importance of regular exchanges between the two parliaments. Birla also held meetings with delegations from Cuba, Egypt and Belarus.
CHAIRMANSHIP TO PASS TO CHINA
The forum is being held as India presides over BRICS in 2026, providing a platform for participating countries to discuss shared priorities and strengthen parliamentary cooperation.
The conference will conclude on October 27 with the adoption of a joint statement, Birla’s valedictory address and the formal handover of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum chairmanship to China.
With inputs from ANI