New Delhi | October 26, 2026 India is hosting the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on October 26 and 27, bringing together parliamentary leaders and delegations from BRICS member and partner countries to discuss global challenges, institutional resilience, technological innovation and sustainable development. The two-day gathering is being held at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan under India’s 2026 BRICS chairship.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading the parliamentary proceedings, with the forum intended to strengthen cooperation among legislatures and encourage dialogue on issues affecting developing economies and the wider international community.
Om Birla Highlights BRICS’ Global Significance
Addressing the forum, Om Birla highlighted the collective demographic and economic importance of BRICS countries. He noted that the grouping represents nearly half of the world’s population and approximately one-third of the Earth’s landmass, underlining its growing role in the global economy and international affairs.
The gathering provides an opportunity for participating countries to exchange parliamentary experiences, strengthen diplomatic engagement and explore common approaches to challenges that cross national borders.
India’s hosting of the forum also reflects its effort to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and encourage more inclusive international cooperation. Discussions are expected to focus on how legislative institutions can respond to changing economic, political and technological conditions while remaining accountable to citizens.
The forum’s central theme is Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development. The programme is structured around four major areas: resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.
Resilience: Delegates will discuss how parliaments can strengthen democratic institutions, improve institutional capacity and respond effectively to emerging challenges.
Innovation: The discussions will examine artificial intelligence and digital technologies, with an emphasis on human-centred innovation, ethical use and the role of lawmakers in addressing the opportunities and risks associated with technological progress.
Cooperation: Parliamentary leaders will consider ways to make global governance more representative and responsive to contemporary international realities. Parliamentary exchanges and dialogue are expected to play an important role in building consensus.
Sustainability: Participants will discuss how legislative institutions can contribute to inclusive development, environmental responsibility and a sustainable future for their countries.
These themes place technology, democratic governance and development at the centre of the forum’s agenda.
Alongside the main sessions, the forum provides a platform for bilateral and multilateral meetings between parliamentary delegations. A special meeting of the chairpersons of international affairs committees from BRICS member and partner countries is also scheduled to address parliamentary diplomacy, capacity building and the exchange of legislative best practices.
Ahead of the event, Birla held discussions with a Russian parliamentary delegation led by Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma. The two sides discussed strengthening parliamentary cooperation, combating terrorism through collective efforts and expanding engagement between the Indian and Russian legislatures.
The discussions also covered reform of the United Nations Security Council, climate change and opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas including nuclear energy, industry, trade and agriculture. Birla reiterated India’s interest in a more representative global governance system and acknowledged Russia’s support for India’s permanent membership of the Security Council. He also met delegations from Cuba, Egypt and Belarus before the forum.
The forum comes as India advances its BRICS chairship in 2026, providing an opportunity to build on broader diplomatic engagement among member and partner countries. Parliamentary cooperation complements government-level diplomacy by enabling elected representatives to exchange perspectives, share legislative practices and discuss common priorities.
The programme also includes parliamentary friendship group meetings, cultural activities and visits for international delegates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to interact with visiting parliamentary leaders, while the Vice-President of India will host a banquet for the dignitaries.
The conference is scheduled to conclude on October 27. Delegates are expected to work towards a joint statement reflecting areas of agreement and shared priorities.
What Lies Ahead?
The outcomes of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum will be closely watched for signs of stronger legislative cooperation on digital governance, sustainable development and the reform of international institutions. Discussions on ethical artificial intelligence are particularly relevant as governments worldwide consider how to encourage technological progress while protecting public interests.
For India, the gathering offers an opportunity to reinforce its diplomatic engagement with BRICS partners and promote a development agenda centred on citizens. Whether the discussions translate into sustained cooperation will depend on the participating countries’ willingness to turn shared priorities into practical initiatives.
As parliamentary leaders meet in New Delhi, the forum places renewed emphasis on dialogue, institutional resilience and collective responses to global challenges.
