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BRICS Parliamentary Forum opens in Parliament’s Central Hall as PM Modi meets visiting BRICS MPs

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The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum opened in the historic Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi on Monday, 26 October 2026, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as its chairperson, according to releases issued by PIB.

BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Dignitaries on stage at the inaugural session in the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi
Dignitaries on stage at the inaugural session in the Central Hall of Parliament, New Delhi Photo: PIB (Government of India, free to use with credit).

How the BRICS Parliamentary Forum opened

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh gave the welcome address at the inaugural session and greeted presiding officers and heads of delegations from BRICS member and partner countries. He called the Central Hall a living witness to India’s journey as one of the world’s largest democracies. He said BRICS represents around 49.5% of the global population and has become an effective platform for consultation on global and regional issues. Recalling India’s 2026 BRICS Presidency, he said the process adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, and that India’s presidency of the 18th BRICS Summit ended with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. The inaugural session was themed “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development”.

Key Facts

  • Event: 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum
  • Venue: Central Hall, Parliament of India, New Delhi
  • Opened: 26 October 2026
  • Chair: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
  • Welcome address: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh

“Had a wonderful interaction with MPs from BRICS nations during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 being held in Delhi.”

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X

Om Birla asks BRICS parliaments to back ethical technology

Addressing the plenary sessions, Mr Birla urged BRICS parliaments to champion ethical, responsible and transparent technology with human oversight kept paramount. He listed digital steps taken by the Parliament of India, including online access for MPs to questions and answers, the daily List of Business in 10 languages with work under way towards all 22 scheduled languages, simultaneous interpretation in 22 languages, and digitised archives of parliamentary debates. He also referred to the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) and the “One Nation, One Legislative Platform” that links legislatures and streams proceedings. On the sidelines he met UAE Federal National Council Speaker Saqr Ghobash, Zheng Jianbang, Vice Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, and Dr Ahmed Naderi of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly, with whom he discussed Chabahar Port cooperation, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

PM Modi meets MPs from BRICS nations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later held an interaction with MPs from BRICS nations taking part in the forum, the Prime Minister’s Office said. “Had a wonderful interaction with MPs from BRICS nations during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 being held in Delhi. We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of issues,” he wrote on X. In his speech, Mr Harivansh said citizens across the world expect parliaments to respond to economic uncertainty, technological change, climate change, public health emergencies and social inequality, and that the forum would let members exchange experience and learn from one another. Mr Birla told his counterparts that technology must be human-centric and accountable, and pointed to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure as an example of direct benefit transfers into bank accounts. The releases did not list the total number of delegations attending.

Why It Matters: The forum gives lawmakers from BRICS member and partner countries a direct channel to discuss technology, governance and development, alongside the leaders' summit track.

Also on TrendDesh: IAEA Iran inspections: Grossi calls for swift return of inspectors at UN General Assembly · National Youth Parliament at MGAHV Wardha: 55 students debate jobs, prices and a compulsory voting Bill

Source: PIB: Harivansh welcome address, 26 Oct 2026 · PIB: Om Birla at BRICS plenary · PIB/PMO: PM meets BRICS MPs

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