Regional conflicts, terrorism does not stop at borders, affects all: Lok Sabha Speaker at BRICS Parliamentary Forum
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addresses a gathering during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Parliament House in New Delhi on October 26, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday (Oct 26, 2026) said parliaments can help build trust and ease tensions between countries as he inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi.
In his inaugural address at the historic Samvidhan Sadan Central Hall, Mr. Birla told delegates that regional conflicts, wars, economic instability, trade tensions, terrorism and climate change do not stop at one’s own border and such global challenges make dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation all the more important.
“Parliaments can play a special role” in enhancing mutual understanding and trust, reducing international tensions and peacefully solving global problems, he said while addressing the gathering in Hindi.
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The two-day event is hosted by New Delhi.
The Speaker welcomed the BRICS parliamentary delegates at Samvidhan Sadan, the old parliament building, on the occasion of the forum’s 20th anniversary.
The BRICS countries have almost half the world’s population and about a third of its land, with a significant share of the global economy and trade. Despite differences in geography, culture, language and society, Mr. Birla noted that members are bound by democratic values and a common commitment to humanity.
The Chairman appreciated the unanimous joint statement adopted at the BRICS Heads of State meeting held here under the chairmanship of PM Modi.
These commitments must now become tangible results, with parliaments contributing through law-making, budgeting, deliberation and oversight.
Separately, in a social media post, the Prime Minister’s Office highlighted an article written by Mr. Birla on the role of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in strengthening dialogue and cooperation among member and partner countries.
Welcoming the delegates at the historic Central Hall, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh said that as the BRICS countries account for nearly half of the world’s population, they are a key multilateral platform for global and regional cooperation.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during India’s BRICS chairmanship, the group has adopted a “people-centric and humanity-first” vision centered around the theme: Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, he noted.
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He pointed out that Mr. Modi pushed for BRICS expansion to amplify the voice of the Global South, leading to the New Delhi Declaration advocating global governance reform and a multipolar world order.
Mr. Harivansh concluded by calling on member states to join forces to promote inclusiveness and strengthen partnerships for global progress.
India assumed the Chairmanship of the Forum at the 11th Forum in Brasilia in June 2025 where Mr. Birla was appointed as the Chairman of the 12th Forum.
Published – 26 Oct 2026 14:30 IST