BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Delhi on Oct 26–27; Modi to Attend

India will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on October 26 and 27 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, within Delhi’s Parliament complex. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend and meet leaders of visiting delegations, ETV Bharat reported, citing Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s press conference at Parliament House.

Birla said Modi would meet visiting Speakers after the inaugural session. Participants are expected to include presiding officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, Union ministers, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, state legislature presiding officers and Members of Parliament.

The Speakers of Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia will not participate, Birla said. That announcement concerned the two Speakers; it did not establish whether their countries would have other representation.

People-centred development, AI and governance

The forum’s central theme is strengthening parliaments to support people-centred development. Its agenda includes innovation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, parliamentary cooperation towards more representative global governance, and the role of legislatures in building a sustainable, inclusive future.

Discussions will also examine institutional resilience, ethical AI, digital transformation and global governance reforms. Birla urged caution in the use of AI and warned against relying on it entirely.

Chairpersons of parliamentary international affairs committees from member and partner countries will discuss parliamentary diplomacy, capacity building and practices that legislatures can learn from one another.

Consensus declaration sought

Delegation secretaries are scheduled to meet on October 25 to finalise a joint statement. Birla expressed hope that the forum would adopt a declaration by consensus; its adoption remains an intended outcome rather than a completed agreement.

Birla also said 64 parliamentary friendship groups had been established and that several countries were seeking additional groups. He said membership of a friendship group, rather than party affiliation, would determine invitations to its members.

The Vice President will host a dinner for the visiting delegates.