Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, presided over the conclusion of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, which wrapped up with the unanimous adoption of a Joint Declaration reaffirming member nations' commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter. The declaration covers sovereign equality, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful resolution of international disputes — core pillars that India has consistently championed during its BRICS Chairship.

Key Provisions of the Joint Declaration

The declaration drew heavily from India's strategic priorities as the sitting BRICS Chair. Member Parliaments explicitly endorsed UN Security Council reform — in line with Paragraph 13 of the New Delhi Declaration (NDD) — to make global governance more representative of the Global South, according to a statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

On counterterrorism, the text adopted robust language referencing Paragraph 40 of the NDD, condemning cross-border terrorism, terror financing, and the provision of safe havens. It called for zero tolerance towards terrorism and an explicit end to double standards — language that mirrors India's long-standing diplomatic position.

India's Development and Climate Agenda Endorsed

The final text also endorsed several India-led initiatives, including the expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), the ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and adherence to the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) on climate action. The forum also recorded unanimous support for India's BRICS Chairship — a notable diplomatic endorsement from the bloc's expanding membership.

Notably, this alignment on both digital and climate frameworks signals a broader consensus within BRICS that the Global South must shape, rather than merely adopt, global governance norms in these emerging domains.

Om Birla's Valedictory Address

In his valedictory address, Speaker Om Birla stressed that global challenges can only be resolved through steadfast dialogue, mutual peace, and collaborative action — not through conflict. Addressing presiding officers, delegates, and international parliamentarians from BRICS member and partner nations, he acknowledged the diverse backgrounds and challenges of participating countries while asserting that their shared commitment to humanity's welfare remains the coalition's core strength.

'India believes in peace, not war, and it believes in cooperation more than competition,' he said. He called for a global framework grounded in absolute respect for national sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and equitable development for all nations.

Birla also underscored the evolving role of democratic institutions, describing Parliaments not merely as lawmaking bodies but as 'vital centres of dialogue, consensus, accountability, and public trust.' He urged global legislatures to become more effective, transparent, and citizen-centric, and noted that AI and digital tools can optimise parliamentary workflows — provided their development aligns with human values, ethics, and accountability.

Transition to China's BRICS Chairship

As the forum drew to a close, Speaker Birla congratulated China on assuming the BRICS Chairship for 2027 and expressed confidence that inter-BRICS cooperation would deepen under its leadership. The forum concluded with a collective call for Parliaments worldwide to serve as powerful voices for peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

With China taking the helm, attention will now turn to whether the bloc can sustain the momentum on UN reform and counterterrorism frameworks that India worked to consolidate during its Chairship.