BRICS Parliamentary Forum opens in Delhi; Birla calls for action beyond declarations

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla opened the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi on October 26, according to the Lok Sabha Secretariat. This marks the opening of the previously announced October 26–27 event, rather than the adoption of a new forum outcome document.

The two-day programme centres on parliamentary resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Birla called for legislatures to use lawmaking, budgets, debate and oversight to turn international commitments into practical results. These are his stated priorities, not proof that member countries have enacted new laws or funded specific programmes.

The Secretariat also reported interaction between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting parliamentary delegations. Birla referred to a joint statement adopted at the separate BRICS heads-of-state-and-government summit; that reference should not be confused with a new declaration adopted by this parliamentary meeting.

The opening address emphasised public accountability and translating dialogue into action. The release does not provide completed results for the ongoing two-day forum or announce a binding trade or investment agreement.

Source: Lok Sabha Secretariat / Press Information Bureau, October 26, 2026. Original English and Telugu reporting by KROV based on the official opening-session release.