New Delhi : As New Delhi hosts foreign delegations for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted on October 26 the significance of parliamentary diplomacy. He noted it offers MPs the chance to engage with counterparts from other countries through dialogue that is less formal than government-to-government discussions.
Addressing the media, Tharoor recalled the parliamentary delegations sent abroad following Operation Sindoor last year, stating their interactions underscored the value of direct engagement between legislators. He said, “It is very important in many ways. This is an opportunity to showcase parliamentary diplomacy. 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. They wanted an opportunity to connect with members of parliament from our country and have a dialogue which is at a different level, a little more informal than when you actually have government-to-government meetings.”
Describing the forum as an important occasion for such exchanges, Tharoor added, “I must say that this is an interesting opportunity for that… Not everything is about geopolitics or government-to-government relations. There is also a very important role that is played by parliamentarians.”
Earlier, foreign delegations from BRICS partner countries arrived at the Parliament complex in New Delhi to attend the forum. The visiting dignitaries were welcomed by officials and Indian MPs.
Delegations from Uganda, Cuba, Brazil, and Russia were present. Russia and Brazil are full BRICS members, while Uganda and Cuba became partner countries in 2025.
In total, parliamentary delegations representing 11 full BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations convened in the capital for the two-day forum, hosted by the Parliament of India at the Parliament House complex.
