BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026: India Calls for Stronger Parliaments and People-Centric Governance
India is hosting the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi on 26–27 October 2026. The meeting brings together parliamentary representatives from BRICS member and partner countries to discuss international cooperation, parliamentary diplomacy and development focused on citizens. The forum is an important part of India's parliamentary engagement with other countries during its BRICS Presidency in 2026.
What Is Happening?
According to an official Press Information Bureau (PIB) release dated 25 October 2026, the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is being held under the theme “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.”
The programme includes discussions on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. 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 best practices.
Who Is Participating?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is representing India's parliamentary leadership in the forum. Ahead of the event, he held a bilateral meeting with a Russian parliamentary delegation led by Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia's State Duma.
According to the official statement, the discussions covered cooperation in international forums, counterterrorism, parliamentary exchanges and reform of international institutions. Om Birla also met parliamentary delegations from Cuba, Egypt and Belarus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to attend the forum and meet visiting delegations.
Where and When Is the Forum Taking Place?
The forum is taking place at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 2026. India's role as host provides an opportunity for parliamentary representatives to exchange views on shared challenges and explore areas of cooperation.
Why Does This Matter for Indian Politics?
International relations are shaped not only by meetings between governments but also by communication between elected representatives and legislative institutions.
Parliamentary forums can provide opportunities to discuss common concerns, strengthen institutional relationships and share experiences in lawmaking and governance.
For India, the discussions also connect with its stated focus on a people-centric approach during its 2026 BRICS Presidency. Issues such as sustainability, innovation, terrorism and institutional reform have implications for how countries cooperate on regional and global challenges.
However, the value of such meetings ultimately depends on the practical outcomes they produce. Public attention should therefore extend beyond speeches and formal meetings to the proposals, agreements and follow-up actions that emerge.
How Could It Affect India's International Engagement?
The forum creates space for Indian and international parliamentarians to exchange ideas and maintain regular institutional contact. The official statement also highlighted the importance of exchanges involving young and women parliamentarians, alongside greater cooperation between the Indian Parliament and Russia's State Duma.
Such engagement can help broaden participation in parliamentary diplomacy. The extent to which it leads to measurable changes will depend on future cooperation and implementation.
Conclusion: What Should Citizens Expect From Parliamentary Diplomacy?
India's hosting of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum places parliamentary cooperation and people-centric development at the centre of its current international engagement.
The key question is how discussions on cooperation, innovation and sustainability can translate into meaningful outcomes for citizens. Greater dialogue is an opportunity, but its long-term value must be judged by the progress that follows.
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