Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met UAE Federal National Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 in New Delhi on Monday, 26 October 2026, with both sides exploring opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation across digital governance, trade, education, and people-to-people ties. The bilateral meeting, held during one of the most significant parliamentary gatherings of the year, underscored the growing strategic weight of the India-UAE partnership.

Digital Governance and AI on the Agenda

A central focus of the discussions was the exchange of best practices in digital governance, with both speakers exploring collaboration through Digital Sansad, Artificial Intelligence (AI), parliamentary committee functioning, and India's Online Assurance Monitoring System. The emphasis on AI and digital parliamentary tools signals a forward-looking dimension to India-UAE legislative ties that goes beyond traditional diplomatic exchanges.

'Delighted to host H.E. Mr. Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of the UAE, on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026. We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening the historic bonds of friendship between India and the UAE through enhanced parliamentary cooperation, regular dialogue and exchanges of parliamentary delegations. We also explored opportunities to share best practices in digital governance through Digital Sansad, artificial intelligence, parliamentary committee functioning and the Online Assurance Monitoring System,' Birla posted on X.

Viksit Bharat Meets UAE Vision 2031

The two speakers drew a direct line between India's Viksit Bharat development agenda and the UAE's We the UAE 2031 vision, framing expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and youth exchanges as a natural convergence of shared aspirations. Both sides also recognised the India-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group as a key institutional bridge connecting legislators of the two nations — an acknowledgement of the group's role in sustaining continuity beyond any single government or forum.

'Emphasising the shared aspirations of Viksit Bharat and the UAE's We the UAE 2031 vision, we discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, youth exchanges and people-to-people ties. We also recognised the India-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group as an important bridge connecting parliamentarians of our two nations,' Birla added.

Regional Stability and Strategic Partnership

Birla and Ghobash exchanged views on regional developments, underlining the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting peace and stability. Birla expressed appreciation for the UAE's consistent support for India on global platforms and reaffirmed New Delhi's commitment to deepening the enduring strategic partnership for mutual prosperity. This comes amid a broader pattern of India consolidating ties with Gulf partners as part of its expanded neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood policy.

BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Context and Significance

Ghobash arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and was received by Member of Parliament Gulam Ali. The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026, which commenced on Monday, has brought together parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and advancing people-centric development. The India-UAE meeting on the forum's sidelines reflects the evolving role of such multilateral gatherings as incubators for bilateral diplomatic activity beyond the formal agenda.

Notably, the UAE's presence at the BRICS Parliamentary Forum as a partner country marks another step in Abu Dhabi's deepening engagement with the grouping — a dynamic that aligns closely with India's own interests in shaping a multipolar international order.