Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 26 October 2026, participated in the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and held interactions with foreign delegates at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. The Forum, themed around strengthening parliamentary cooperation and advancing people-centric development, brought together presiding officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries.

Who Was in the Room

The gathering included Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, presiding officers of state legislatures, Members of Parliament, and senior dignitaries from across BRICS member and partner nations. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the plenary session and formally welcomed the international delegation, framing the dialogue as an expression of shared democratic values and multilateral trust.

What Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Said

In his inaugural address, Birla described the gathering as a 'special experience', noting that parliamentary delegations choosing to convene in India — the world's largest democracy — carried symbolic weight. 'The presence of the BRICS Parliamentary Cooperation in India demonstrates our shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and our shared trust in democratic values,' he said.

Birla also marked a significant milestone: the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is observing its 20th anniversary this year. He underlined the body's growing global footprint, asserting that it is 'expanding rapidly' and that its 'capacity to influence global developments and international relations' is rising in tandem. He further noted that BRICS nations collectively represent nearly half the world's population, span about one-third of the global landmass, and hold a meaningful share of global economic output and trade — 'a reflection of our collective strength and global responsibility.'

The Global South Dimension

A recurring theme in the Forum's opening session was the potential of BRICS to amplify the voice of the Global South. Birla called on member nations to translate ambitious rhetoric into practical and achievable outcomes. 'BRICS has the ability to become an empowered voice of the Global South. We have to make sure that our ambitions are not just limited to mere discussion, but should also be practical and achievable,' he said.

He also highlighted the role of parliaments in easing international tensions — arguing that legislative bodies, by fostering mutual understanding across borders, can serve as a counterweight to geopolitical friction. This comes amid a broader push by India to position itself as a bridge between the Global South and established multilateral institutions.

BRICS Summit Joint Statement Reference

Birla referenced the unanimous adoption of a Joint Statement at the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi under Prime Minister Modi's chairmanship, calling it 'a major achievement' and expressing gratitude to all member nations for the consensus reached. The remark signals continuity between the executive-level summit outcomes and the parliamentary-level follow-through being pursued at this Forum.

What Comes Next

The Forum is expected to conclude with a set of parliamentary-level recommendations on cooperation frameworks and Global South priorities. India's hosting of the event underscores its ambition to lead multilateral dialogue not just at the heads-of-government level but also through legislative diplomacy — a channel that has historically received less attention than summit-track engagements.