Parliamentary Cooperation Takes Centre Stage at BRICS Forum
Parliamentary cooperation and people-focused development took centre stage on Monday as the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum convened in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event, held in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House complex, and held talks with foreign representatives.
Leaders from BRICS member and partner nations gathered to examine how legislatures can deepen their working relationships and advance development that serves ordinary citizens.
The forum drew presiding officers and parliamentary leaders from across the bloc and its partners, along with Union Ministers, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, state assembly presiding officers, Members of Parliament and other eminent guests.
The proceedings were opened by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who chaired the session and extended a warm welcome to delegates from BRICS member countries. He placed special emphasis on dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation between the nations present.
In his opening address, Birla thanked the delegates and remarked that the arrival of parliamentary delegations from BRICS member states to India, the world's largest democracy, carried a shared sense of purpose that was in itself a distinctive experience.
The Speaker underlined that the gathering of BRICS parliamentarians in India signalled a common commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and faith in democratic values.
Noting that the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is marking its 20th anniversary, Birla observed that the grouping is expanding at a fast pace and that its influence over global developments and international relations is increasing.
He pointed out that BRICS countries together represent nearly half of the world's population, spread across about one-third of the global land area, and hold a major share of the global economy and international trade. Such weight, he said, carries both collective power and global responsibility.
Birla said, “Despite our geographical, cultural, linguistic and social differences, a shared commitment to democracy and humanity unites BRICS nations.”
He also praised the unanimous adoption of the joint statement at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, which was held under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's chairmanship, describing it as a major achievement.
He further stated that parliaments can help build mutual understanding and trust, ease international tensions and tackle global challenges through peaceful dialogue.
Birla concluded by highlighting BRICS' potential to become a strong voice for the Global South and to make its mark in international discussions, adding that the group's goals must be practical and achievable, not limited to talk.