The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum commenced on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House complex in New Delhi, drawing together presiding officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and advancing people-centric development.

Speaker Birla's Inaugural Address

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the opening session and welcomed delegates representing BRICS member nations. In his inaugural address, Birla said, 'The presence of parliamentary delegations from BRICS member nations in India — coming to the world's largest democratic nation and sharing a joint commitment — will in itself be a special experience.'

Underscoring the significance of parliamentary engagement, he added, 'The presence of the BRICS Parliamentary Cooperation in India demonstrates our shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and our shared trust in democratic values.'

BRICS at 20: Scale and Global Influence

Birla noted that the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is marking its 20th anniversary this year, observing that the organisation is 'expanding rapidly' along with its 'capacity to influence global developments and international relations.' He highlighted that BRICS nations collectively represent nearly half the world's population, span approximately one-third of the global landmass, and hold a substantial share of global economic output and international trade — a combination he described as reflecting 'collective strength and global responsibility.'

Despite differences in geography, culture, language, and social background, Birla asserted that BRICS countries are bound by their shared commitment to democratic principles and the well-being of humanity. 'BRICS countries may differ geographically, culturally, linguistically, and socially, but our shared responsibility toward democratic values and humanity binds us together,' he said.

BRICS Summit Joint Statement Highlighted

Referring to the recent BRICS Summit held in New Delhi under India's chairmanship and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Birla described the unanimous adoption of the Joint Statement as 'a major achievement,' expressing gratitude to all BRICS member nations for their collective resolve. The unanimous declaration has been widely noted as a signal of cohesion within an increasingly diverse grouping.

Key Attendees and Format

The two-day forum, running on 26 and 27 October, brings together Presiding Officers, Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Presiding Officers of State Legislatures, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to attend the event and hold meetings with the heads of visiting delegations — a move that elevates the forum beyond a purely parliamentary gathering into a diplomatic touchpoint.

This comes amid a broader recalibration of BRICS's role on the global stage, following the grouping's recent expansion. With the forum marking two decades of existence and India holding the chairmanship, New Delhi's hosting carries both symbolic and strategic weight ahead of evolving multilateral alignments.