Full Breakdown
India Hosts the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum: A Parliamentary-Diplomacy Milestone
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Inauguration and Agenda
On October 26, 2026, India’s Parliament opened the two-day 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi. Organized under India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship, the forum is built around four pillars—Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability—and will examine institutional resilience, AI governance, South-South cooperation and sustainable development. Delegates from the five BRICS members and partner countries are convening to translate shared visions into legislative action.
Background & Context
BRICS nations together account for roughly half the world’s population and a third of global land area, representing a substantial share of the world economy. The parliamentary forum marks the 20th anniversary of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum and aligns with India’s diplomatic agenda to amplify the Global South’s voice through multilateral parliamentary diplomacy.
Key Figures & Groups
- Shri Om Birla – Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- Shri Narendra Modi – Prime Minister, chair of the 2026 BRICS Presidency.
- Vyacheslav Volodin – Chairman of the State Duma, Russia.
- Ana Maria Mari Machado – Vice-President of Cuba’s National Assembly.
- Sameh Shoukry – Head of the Egyptian parliamentary delegation.
- Vadim Ipatov – Deputy Speaker of the Belarusian House of Representatives.
Timeline
- October 25, 2026 – Speaker Birla held bilateral meetings with delegations from Russia, Cuba, Egypt and Belarus, emphasizing parliamentary cooperation, trade and cultural ties.
- October 26, 2026 – The forum opened with plenary sessions on the four pillars; Prime Minister Modi met visiting parliamentary leaders.
Data & Statistics
- Four high-level sessions, each dedicated to one thematic pillar.
- Delegations represent all five BRICS members plus partner countries, reflecting a diverse multilateral composition.
Official Statements & Responses
Birla highlighted the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” with Russia and called for regular meetings of the India-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Commission, as well as greater participation of young and women parliamentarians. Volodin stressed the need for “joint business ventures” and the removal of trade obstacles, while supporting India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
On-the-Ground Reports
Delegates reported that sessions will explore how AI governance, digital transformation, climate action, poverty alleviation and sustainable development can be shaped by legislative bodies. Speakers noted the historic venue as a symbol of democratic values and a backdrop for “people-centric development.”
What’s Next
The forum will conclude later this week, after which a joint statement is expected to be finalized by the secretaries of the delegations. The document will outline agreed-upon actions on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability, feeding into broader BRICS initiatives under India’s 2026 chairmanship.
