The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is set to begin at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi on Monday, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla holding talks with senior parliamentary leaders from Russia and other countries ahead of the two-day event.
The forum, being hosted by India on October 26 and 27, will focus on the theme “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the opening programme and meet the heads of visiting parliamentary delegations.
Om Birla Meets Russian Duma Chairman Volodin
Ahead of the forum, Birla held a bilateral meeting with Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma. The two sides discussed ways to deepen parliamentary ties between India and Russia, including regular exchanges between lawmakers
and greater engagement through multilateral platforms such as BRICS.
Birla highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries and said parliamentary engagement could play an important role in taking bilateral ties forward. India and Russia are also set to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
The two delegations discussed cooperation at international forums and the need for joint efforts to combat terrorism. Birla welcomed Russia’s continued support for India in its fight against terrorism and stressed the importance of a united international response to the threat.
India Seeks Russia’s Support For UNSC Bid
The Lok Sabha Speaker also reiterated India’s call for reforms to the United Nations Security Council and thanked Russia for its continued support for India’s permanent membership of the Council.
The discussions also covered potential cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy, industry, trade and agriculture. Volodin stressed the need to encourage joint business ventures and address barriers to bilateral trade and investment.
Both sides also highlighted the importance of cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges in strengthening the relationship.
Focus On Young, Women Parliamentarians
Birla stressed the importance of sustained institutional contact between the Lok Sabha and the Russian State Duma. He called for regular meetings of the India-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Commission and greater exchanges involving young and women parliamentarians.
He also discussed the use of technology in parliamentary functioning, including India’s initiatives such as Sansad Bhashini, which aims to make parliamentary proceedings more accessible and citizen-centric.
People-Centric Approach At BRICS Forum
With India holding the BRICS chair in 2026, Birla said a people-centric approach would guide the country’s parliamentary engagement during its presidency. He called for greater cooperation among BRICS legislatures to address global challenges such as terrorism and climate change.
The forum will hold four high-level sessions on Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability. Discussions will cover institutional resilience, human-centred use of artificial intelligence and digital technology, reforms in global governance and sustainable development.
A special meeting of the chairpersons of international affairs committees from BRICS member and partner countries will also be held. The meeting will focus on parliamentary diplomacy, capacity building and sharing best practices.
Birla Meets Delegations From Cuba, Egypt, Belarus
Apart from the Russian delegation, Birla also held meetings with parliamentary delegations from Cuba, Egypt and Belarus on Sunday.
The forum will include plenary sessions, bilateral meetings and parliamentary exchanges, along with a cultural programme. The Vice-President of India will host a banquet for the visiting delegates.
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum will conclude on October 27.
