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India will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan on October 26 and 27. (Img: X)
New Delhi: The national capital is preparing to host an important international parliamentary gathering as the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum arrives at the historic Samvidhan Sadan on October 26 and 27. The meeting will bring parliamentary leaders, MPs and diplomats from BRICS member and partner countries together to discuss cooperation, emerging technologies and the future of global governance.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the programme, highlighting its focus on parliamentary diplomacy and shared responses to global challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to interact with visiting delegates, while Birla will chair the inaugural session and deliver the valedictory address.
The forum is expected to draw attention to how legislatures can respond to rapid technological change while strengthening institutions and keeping public welfare at the centre of policymaking.
The two-day gathering will follow the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development”. Its agenda includes institutional resilience, ethical artificial intelligence, digital transformation, capacity-building and sustainable development.
Delegates are expected to exchange views on how parliaments can adapt to emerging technologies, improve institutional effectiveness and support inclusive growth. Discussions will also examine parliamentary cooperation and proposals for a more representative global governance framework.
At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming public services, economies and everyday life, the forum offers participating legislatures an opportunity to discuss the challenges of innovation alongside questions of accountability and public interest.
A joint declaration is expected to capture the key discussions and areas of consensus emerging from the meeting.
The Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, a landmark in India’s parliamentary history, will serve as the principal venue for the forum. The Parliament complex will also host cultural activities designed to showcase India’s regional traditions to visiting dignitaries.
Artisans and craftsmen from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are expected to display their work at a cultural bazaar, bringing regional crafts into the international gathering.
The Library Hall of the Chamber of Princes is another notable feature of the programme. Formerly used as a reading room for MPs, the hall is being refurbished for the event and is set to host an international parliamentary gathering for the first time since Parliament moved its regular proceedings to the new building.
The choice of historic venues adds a symbolic dimension to the meeting, connecting India’s parliamentary heritage with its engagement with international partners.
The forum is expected to include representatives from 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner countries, bringing the anticipated participation to 21 nations. India, China, Russia and Brazil are among the members, while Belarus, Malaysia and Uzbekistan are among the partner countries.
Birla indicated that Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia might not attend because of internal issues. Participation will depend on confirmation from the respective delegations.
The gathering is expected to include parliamentary speakers, legislators, delegates and diplomats. Their discussions will provide a platform for exchanging experiences and exploring areas of cooperation between national legislatures.
Beyond the formal sessions, the programme will include parliamentary meetings, bilateral exchanges and cultural engagements. These interactions are expected to create opportunities for delegates to discuss shared priorities and strengthen institutional ties.
The proposed joint declaration will be one of the key outcomes to watch as the forum concludes. Its final content will depend on the deliberations and the areas on which participating delegations reach agreement.
As New Delhi hosts the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the focus will be on whether discussions around ethical technology, sustainable development and parliamentary cooperation can translate into a shared agenda for future engagement.
