What Did Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Say About India's Growth at the BRICS Parliamentary Forum?

Brasilia, June 5 (NationPress) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday reaffirmed India's robust commitment to a fair and rule-based global trading system that genuinely addresses the needs and aspirations of the Global South during the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia.

While addressing the working session themed 'BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development', Birla commended the Parliament of Brazil for expertly organizing the event and expressed gratitude for their warm hospitality.

"Today, the BRICS group stands as a significant force in the global economic arena. It accounts for nearly 45 percent of the world’s population and contributes 40 percent to the global GDP based on purchasing power parity. Despite prevailing global challenges, BRICS nations have made notable strides in economic development. India asserts that to bolster this progress, we need to enhance trade, investment, and financial cooperation," he stated.

"We are worried that the representation of developing countries in crucial international institutions is lacking, and such disparities obstruct global equity and sustainable development. Hence, BRICS countries need to take united steps to improve participation in these institutions," Birla added.

The Lok Sabha Speaker highlighted that Covid-19 and other global crises have disproportionately impacted the Global South, worsening existing challenges in health, food, and energy security. He emphasized that without robust, coordinated global efforts, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will become increasingly challenging — if not impossible — for numerous nations.

Birla elaborated on India's economic growth, noting that despite global uncertainties and challenges, it has been remarkable. He pointed out that India has consistently exceeded the global growth average, with its GDP projected to grow at an average of seven percent from 2014 to 2025, making it the fastest-growing major economy globally.

"India is not only the world's largest and most vibrant democracy but also a country with a stable government that upholds the rule of law and is transparent and accountable. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has achieved significant advancements across various sectors," he stated.

Birla stressed that India regards the BRICS Parliamentary Forum as a vital platform where collaborative efforts and dialogue can redefine economic development.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Lok Sabha Speaker also engaged in a fruitful discussion with Hugo Motta, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, reiterating India's steadfast commitment to combating terrorism.

"I had a warm and constructive bilateral meeting with Hugo Motta, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil. I emphasized that terrorism is a global menace and that all nations must unite to eradicate this threat, underscoring that complete eradication of terrorism is India's unwavering national resolve," Birla shared on X on Thursday.

"I expressed India's gratitude to President Lula for Brazil's unwavering support in our battle against terrorism. I shared insights on how India is transforming its parliamentary democracy through inclusive representation and innovative reforms, highlighting our rapid digital transformation — with Indian parliamentary processes now largely paperless. I informed them that through initiatives like Digital Sansad and the incorporation of AI, we are preserving our democratic legacy while adapting Parliament to the needs of the 21st century," he noted in his post.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha Speaker and his visiting Indian delegation were welcomed by Dinesh Bhatia, Ambassador of India to Brazil, upon their arrival in Brasília on Wednesday.

The delegation included Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar, Lok Sabha MPs Vijay Baghel, Vivek Thakur, and Shabari Byreddy; along with Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh and Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody.

Following their arrival, the delegation attended the inaugural ceremony of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasília, reaffirming the nations' deep commitment to enhancing inter-parliamentary cooperation for an inclusive BRICS partnership.

The 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which took place from June 4-5 in Brasilia, represented a crucial advancement in solidifying inter-parliamentary cooperation among member countries, reaffirming the legislative branches' commitment to strengthening political dialogue, sharing best practices, and establishing a common agenda focused on sustainable development, social justice, and multilateral governance.

The BRICS members comprise 11 nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this year, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were welcomed as partner countries of the BRICS.