The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is being held at the Constitution House in the Parliament complex in New Delhi on October 26 and 27. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the conference and meet heads of delegations from participating countries. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will preside over the event. India holds the BRICS chairmanship this year.
Representatives from BRICS member and partner countries will participate in the two-day forum. The conference has invited representatives from 11 member countries and 10 partner countries, including parliamentary speakers and senior lawmakers. Several Union ministers, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and speakers of state legislative assemblies will also attend on behalf of India.
Om Birla outlined the conference agenda while speaking to journalists on October 22. He said parliamentarians from several countries would come together to discuss the functioning of their respective legislatures and exchange experiences. The discussions will also address challenges faced by countries and examine opportunities for cooperation.
The forum will focus on parliamentary effectiveness, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, reforms in international institutions, and development-related issues. Discussions will also examine how parliaments can function more effectively and help ensure that government decisions benefit the public.
Sustainable development, including ways to pursue development without harming the environment, will also form part of the discussions.
A separate meeting has been scheduled for chairpersons of parliamentary committees dealing with foreign affairs. Participants will exchange experiences from their respective countries and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation.
Ahead of the conference, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met a Russian parliamentary delegation in New Delhi on Sunday, October 25. The delegation was led by Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.
Terrorism was a key issue during the meeting. Birla appreciated Russia's support for India in combating terrorism and said countries needed to work together to address the threat. Both sides also discussed ways to expand cooperation at the international level.
India's bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council was also raised during the meeting. Birla thanked Russia for supporting India's claim.
The discussions also covered the longstanding relationship between India and Russia. Diplomatic relations between the two countries began in 1947, and they will mark 80 years of diplomatic ties in 2027.
Birla referred to the expansion of cooperation between the two countries under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russian representatives highlighted the need to address difficulties affecting trade and investment, saying this would make it easier for companies from both countries to work together.
The meeting also discussed expanding engagement between young parliamentarians and women parliamentarians. In addition to the Russian delegation, Birla met representatives from Cuba, Egypt and Belarus.
The two-day BRICS Parliamentary Forum will conclude on Tuesday, October 27. Alongside the main sessions, delegates from participating countries are expected to hold bilateral interactions.
Cultural programmes have been arranged for foreign delegates, who will also have an opportunity to visit the Indian Parliament and some prominent locations in Delhi. The Vice-President will host a banquet in honour of the visiting representatives.
The final day will include discussions on the proceedings of the two-day conference and areas for future cooperation.
