Birla, Volodin meet ahead of BRICS Forum, vow to deepen India-Russia ties
Synopsis
Just ahead of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin reaffirmed India-Russia strategic ties, backed UNSC reforms, and agreed to deepen parliamentary cooperation — with PM Modi set to meet visiting leaders at the two-day forum on 26–27 October.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin in New Delhi on 25 October 2026 , ahead of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum .
Both sides reaffirmed commitment to the India–Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership as the two nations mark 80 years of diplomatic relations.
Discussions covered parliamentary delegation exchanges, engagement of young and women parliamentarians, and India's Sansad Bhashini technology platform.
Russia's support for India's permanent UNSC membership was acknowledged; the two sides also discussed anti-terrorism cooperation and BRICS parliamentary reforms.
The forum runs 26–27 October 2026 at Samvidhan Sadan ; PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet visiting delegation leaders.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin in New Delhi on Sunday, 25 October 2026, ahead of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to deepening the India–Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The meeting centred on expanding parliamentary cooperation through sustained institutional engagement, regular delegation exchanges, and greater participation of young and women parliamentarians.
Key Developments at the Meeting
BJP MP Sambit Patra, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Sibi George, and other senior officials were present during the discussions. The meeting marks one of the most significant bilateral parliamentary engagements as India and Russia mark 80 years of diplomatic relations this year.
Birla posted details of the meeting on X, noting: 'The enduring bonds of friendship, mutual trust and understanding between India and Russia form the bedrock of our longstanding partnership.' He expressed confidence that stronger parliamentary ties would impart fresh momentum to the bilateral relationship.
Technology and Inclusive Governance on the Agenda
Birla highlighted India's use of technology to modernise parliamentary proceedings, specifically referencing Sansad Bhashini, a translation platform designed to make legislative debates more accessible and citizen-centric. The initiative, he said, could serve as a model for broader parliamentary cooperation within BRICS.
The two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation among BRICS parliaments, combating terrorism through coordinated international efforts, and advancing reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Notably, Birla conveyed India's appreciation for Russia's continued support for India's permanent membership of the UNSC.
Volodin's Visit and the BRICS Parliamentary Forum
Volodin is in India on an official visit to attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, scheduled for 26–27 October 2026 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi. The forum, held under India's BRICS chairship, will bring together presiding officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on people-centric development.
Earlier on Sunday, Volodin paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi — a gesture that carries symbolic weight given the centrepiece role Gandhi's philosophy plays in India's foreign policy messaging.
What to Expect at the Forum
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the forum and meet the leaders of visiting delegations. The event will also feature bilateral and multilateral interactions with parliamentary friendship groups, and participation from Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, presiding officers of state legislatures, and members of parliament.
A preparatory meeting of secretaries of the delegations was held on 25 October to finalise the Joint Statement of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum. This edition is being described as a new chapter in India's parliamentary diplomacy, broadening the forum's reach to both BRICS member and partner nations.
Point of View
With UNSC reform and anti-terrorism cooperation as the substantive anchors. Russia's explicit support for India's permanent UNSC seat, reiterated yet again, remains valuable currency in New Delhi's long-running bid, even as Western partners remain divided on the question. The emphasis on technology — Sansad Bhashini in particular — is a soft-power play that few will notice but that builds India's credibility as an exporter of democratic governance models within the Global South. Whether these parliamentary-level commitments translate into concrete policy outcomes, however, will depend on the harder diplomatic machinery well beyond the forum's ceremonial halls.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed in the Birla-Volodin meeting on 25 October 2026?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin discussed expanding parliamentary cooperation through institutional engagement, regular delegation exchanges, and greater participation of young and women parliamentarians. They also covered UNSC reforms, anti-terrorism cooperation, and India's Sansad Bhashini technology initiative.
What is the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum?
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is a two-day gathering of parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, scheduled for 26–27 October 2026 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi. Held under India's BRICS chairship, the forum focuses on people-centric development and strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Why is Russia's Volodin visiting India?
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin is in India on an official visit to attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26–27 October 2026. His pre-forum meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also served to reinforce bilateral parliamentary and diplomatic ties as India and Russia mark 80 years of diplomatic relations.
What is Sansad Bhashini and why was it mentioned?
Sansad Bhashini is an India-developed translation platform that makes parliamentary proceedings more accessible in multiple languages. Birla highlighted it as an example of how technology can make legislatures more inclusive, and cited it as a model that could inform broader BRICS parliamentary cooperation.
Will PM Modi attend the BRICS Parliamentary Forum?
Yes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and meet the leaders of visiting delegations. The forum at Samvidhan Sadan on 26–27 October will also include bilateral and multilateral interactions with parliamentary friendship groups.
