Iran Speaker Qalibaf skips BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi
Synopsis
Iran's Parliament Speaker Qalibaf has pulled out of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi — just days before the event — citing 'unforeseen circumstances.' Tehran insists its delegation will still attend, but the last-minute absence of a new BRICS member's top legislative figure is an early test of Iran's engagement with the bloc.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf , Speaker of Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly, will not attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi .
The forum is scheduled for 26-27 October at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan , hosted by the Parliament of India.
Iran's parliamentary delegation will still participate, with the Iranian Embassy citing 'certain unforeseen circumstances' for Qalibaf's absence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend and meet leaders of visiting delegations.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called the forum 'a new chapter in India's parliamentary diplomacy.' A Secretaries-level meeting on Monday will work to finalise the forum's Joint Statement.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will not attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on 26-27 October, the Embassy of Iran confirmed on Saturday, citing 'certain unforeseen circumstances.' Despite his absence, Iran's parliamentary delegation will participate in the summit, which is being hosted by the Parliament of India at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
Iran's Official Statement
In a formal communiqué, the Iranian Embassy stated: 'Due to certain unforeseen circumstances, H.E. Dr. Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, will be unable to attend the Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of BRICS Member Countries in New Delhi.' The embassy did not elaborate on the nature of the circumstances.
Iran simultaneously reaffirmed its multilateral commitments, with the embassy adding that 'as one of the members of BRICS, Iran reaffirms its commitment to active and effective participation at the highest levels in the summits and meetings of this grouping.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry indicated the delegation would pursue bilateral and multilateral consultations with other BRICS member delegations, focusing on parliamentary relations and cooperation.
What the Forum Covers
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is being held under India's chairship on the overarching theme of 'Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.' Four high-level sessions are scheduled, addressing resilience of democratic institutions, human-centred innovation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, global governance reform through parliamentary cooperation, and sustainable and inclusive development.
Presiding Officers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Presiding Officers of State Legislatures, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries are expected to attend. A Secretaries-level meeting on Monday will work to finalise the Joint Statement of the forum.
India's Role and PM Modi's Participation
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla described the conference as 'a new chapter in the history of India's parliamentary diplomacy.' He confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would grace the event and hold meetings with leaders of the visiting delegations. Participating delegates will also undertake a visit to the Parliament of India and cultural excursions in Delhi.
This comes amid India's broader effort to consolidate its position as a leading voice within the BRICS framework, particularly following the grouping's expansion to include new members such as Iran itself.
Diplomatic Context
Qalibaf's absence is notable given that Iran is a relatively new BRICS member, having formally joined the grouping in 2024. His non-attendance at one of the bloc's key parliamentary gatherings so early in Iran's membership could attract scrutiny, though Tehran has moved quickly to frame the development as a logistical rather than a political matter. The Iranian Embassy also expressed 'sincere appreciation' to the Government of India for its hospitality and the arrangements made to host the meeting.
Point of View
And skipping a flagship parliamentary summit so early in its membership — without a stated reason — risks signalling ambivalence about the grouping's multilateral agenda. The Iranian Embassy's careful language, reaffirming commitment at 'the highest levels' while sending a lower-tier delegation, suggests an attempt at damage control. For India, as forum host and chair, the optics are manageable — the delegation attends — but the absence of a speaker-level counterpart for Modi's bilateral engagements is a quiet gap. It is worth watching whether Qalibaf's absence reflects domestic pressures in Tehran, a scheduling conflict with a more pressing bilateral, or something more structural about Iran's BRICS calculus.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Iran's Parliament Speaker Qalibaf not attending the BRICS Parliamentary Forum?
The Embassy of Iran in New Delhi cited 'certain unforeseen circumstances' for Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf's absence, without providing further details. Iran confirmed that its parliamentary delegation would still attend the forum in his place.
What is the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum?
It is a summit of Speakers and parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, hosted by India's Parliament at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi on 26-27 October. The forum's theme is 'Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.'
Will Iran still participate in the BRICS Parliamentary Forum despite Qalibaf's absence?
Yes. The Iranian Embassy confirmed that Iran's parliamentary delegation will attend and continue consultations with other BRICS delegations on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly in the area of parliamentary relations.
Who will attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum from India?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is hosting the forum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend and meet leaders of visiting delegations. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Union Ministers, Presiding Officers of State Legislatures, and Members of Parliament are also expected to participate.
What will be discussed at the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi?
The forum will hold four high-level sessions covering institutional resilience, human-centred AI and digital innovation, global governance reform through parliamentary cooperation, and sustainable and inclusive development. A Secretaries-level meeting on Monday will work to finalise the forum's Joint Statement.
