New Delhi : The BRICS Parliamentary Forum convened to explore ways to bolster parliamentary democracy, promote democratic values, enhance accountability to citizens, and modernise parliamentary traditions, Assam BJP president and MP Dilip Saikia stated on Monday.
The summit was attended by representatives from 16 countries. Sessions also addressed the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in parliamentary processes.
“The BRICS Parliamentary Forum Summit, attended by representatives from 16 countries, discussed ways to strengthen parliamentary democracy, promote democratic values, improve accountability to citizens, and modernise parliamentary traditions. Discussions also covered emerging technologies, including AI, across the three sessions,” Saikia said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor received Iranian parliamentary representatives during courtesy calls on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi.
A post by the Iranian Embassy in India on X emphasised the importance of bilateral relations between Iran and India. It stated, “On the sidelines of the 12th Parliamentary Forum 2026, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and senior parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor received Iranian parliamentary representatives in courtesy calls, underscoring the importance of bilateral relations between Iran and India.”
The meetings took place as India hosts parliamentary delegations from BRICS member and partner countries for the two-day forum at the Parliament House complex in the national capital.
Prime Minister Modi attended the inauguration of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and welcomed foreign delegations participating in the event.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor underscored the significance of parliamentary diplomacy, noting that the forum provides lawmakers an opportunity to engage with international counterparts through dialogue that is less formal than official government-to-government interactions.
Speaking to the media, Tharoor recalled parliamentary delegations sent abroad following Operation Sindoor last year, stating the visits highlighted the value of direct engagement between parliamentarians. “Governments do all the official stuff. But when we went out last year with the parliamentary delegations after Operation Sindoor, everyone was telling us in the countries we went to how useful it was for them to be able to talk to MPs,” he said.
He added that parliamentary exchanges contribute beyond formal diplomatic relations. “Not everything is about geopolitics or government-to-government relations. There is also a very important role that is played by parliamentarians,” Tharoor said.
A total of 21 parliamentary delegations representing 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations arrived in New Delhi to participate in the two-day forum hosted by the Parliament of India.
