The success of BRICS will be measured not merely by discussions, but by the tangible outcomes that emerge from them — Om Birla.
The Sunday Mail
New Delhi: Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum—held on Monday in the historic Constitution Hall (Samvidhan Sadan) of the Parliament House—Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla called upon the parliaments of member and partner nations to provide fresh impetus to people-centric development, global peace, sustainable development, and international cooperation. He emphasized that collective efforts are essential to develop solutions for shared challenges and to bring about positive changes in the lives of citizens through parliamentary cooperation. Welcoming the parliamentary delegations from BRICS member and partner countries, Birla stated that their presence in India reflects a commitment to parliamentary cooperation, dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared belief in democratic values. He noted that despite the geographical, cultural, linguistic, and social diversities among the member nations, they are united by their shared democratic values and a common responsibility toward humanity. Describing the unanimous adoption of a joint statement at the BRICS summit—held under the
chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—as a significant achievement, Birla expressed his gratitude to the member nations. He stated that the need now is to translate these commitments into concrete outcomes. Parliaments can make a vital contribution toward achieving these objectives through law-making, budgeting, deliberation, and oversight. Birla stated that the world is currently facing serious challenges such as regional conflicts, war, economic instability, trade tensions, terrorism, and climate change. The impact of these challenges is not confined to the borders of any single nation. In such times, the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual cooperation becomes even greater. He noted that parliaments can play a significant role in strengthening mutual understanding and trust, reducing international tensions, and finding peaceful solutions to global challenges. Through parliamentary diplomacy, elected representatives from various countries can share their experiences, identify common interests, and develop new opportunities for mutual cooperation. Birla stated that BRICS aspires to strengthen the voice of the Global South. To achieve this objective, it is essential that shared aspirations do not remain limited to mere discourse, but instead manifest as concrete policies and practical cooperation. 
Highlighting that the theme of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum (2026) is “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development,” Mr. Birla noted that this theme holds particular significance in the current global context. During the two-day forum, there will be extensive deliberations on four key themes: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. He stated that BRICS nations must build robust parliamentary institutions capable of ensuring legislative continuity, accountability, and democratic oversight, even amidst challenges. Parliaments are dynamic institutions; they should refine their functioning in line with public expectations while further strengthening the traditions of dialogue, consensus, transparency, and accountability. Shri Birla stated that the true strength of parliamentary diplomacy lies in countries fostering a democratic approach and a spirit of cooperation in international relations, while respecting each other’s sovereignty. He called upon member nations to share their experiences and transform mutual understanding—built through trust and dialogue—into concrete cooperation.
Referring to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of developing BRICS into an ‘ecosystem of solutions,’ the Speaker of the Lok Sabha remarked that the success of the forum would be measured not merely by discussions, but by the tangible outcomes that emerge from them. He called upon the parliaments of the member nations to formulate an agenda for a shared future and to commit to making mutual cooperation result-oriented. Mr. Birla stated that while the national circumstances and perspectives of the BRICS countries may differ, their aspirations—peace, security, mutual respect, equal opportunities, and a better life for their citizens—remain the same. To achieve these common objectives, the parliamentary forum must serve as a vehicle for effective cooperation, trust-building, and collective action.
