Om Birla Inaugurates BRICS Forum, Says Conflicts And Terrorism Affect All

Regional conflicts, terrorism do not stop at borders, affect all: Lok Sabha Speaker at BRICS Parliamentary Forum

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi and said parliaments could help build trust and ease tensions between countries.

Addressing the gathering in Hindi, Birla said regional conflicts, wars, economic instability, trade tensions, terrorism and climate change do not stop at national borders.

He said these challenges make dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation more important.

Parliaments’ role in addressing global challenges

“Parliaments can play a special role” in strengthening mutual understanding and trust, reducing international tension and resolving global challenges peacefully, Birla said.

He was speaking at the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, the old Parliament building, where he welcomed parliamentary delegates attending the forum.

New Delhi is hosting the two-day event, which is being held to mark the 20th anniversary of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

The forum brings together representatives of BRICS countries at a time when the Speaker has linked cross-border conflicts and other global pressures to the need for sustained dialogue among nations.

From commitments to results

Birla said BRICS members are connected by democratic values and a shared commitment to humanity, despite differences in geography, culture, language and society.

He also referred to the unanimous joint statement adopted at the BRICS Heads of State meeting held in New Delhi under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chairmanship.

The Speaker said the commitments in that statement now needed to produce tangible results.

He identified lawmaking, budgeting, deliberation and oversight as areas through which parliaments could contribute to implementing those commitments.

The forum’s discussions therefore extend beyond parliamentary exchanges, with its stated focus also involving how legislative institutions can support cooperation and translate political commitments into action.

BRICS and global cooperation

BRICS nations account for nearly half of the world’s population and about a third of its land, while also representing a significant share of the global economy and trade, according to the forum’s address.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the representation of nearly half of the world’s population made BRICS a pivotal multilateral platform for global and regional cooperation.

Welcoming delegates to the historic Central Hall, Harivansh said the platform had an important role in bringing countries together for cooperation.

Under India’s BRICS presidency, and under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the group adopted a “people-centric and humanity-first” vision.

The vision was centred on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability”.

Harivansh said Modi had championed the expansion of BRICS to amplify the voice of the Global South.

That effort led to the New Delhi Declaration, which advocates reform of global governance and a multipolar world order.

India’s chairmanship of the parliamentary forum

Harivansh urged member nations to combine their strengths to promote inclusiveness and strengthen partnerships for global progress.

India took over the chairmanship of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum at the 11th forum in Brasilia in June 2025.

Birla was named chairperson of the 12th Forum at that meeting.

The Prime Minister’s Office separately highlighted a piece written by Birla on the role of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in strengthening dialogue and cooperation among member and partner countries.

The forum’s agenda, as outlined in the addresses, places parliamentary dialogue alongside diplomacy and cooperation in responding to challenges that affect countries across borders.

Source: The Hindu