Delhi to Host 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on Oct 26–27

New Delhi will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on October 26 and 27, 2026. The high-level international conference will center on the core theme, “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development.” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced the two-day summit during a press conference in New Delhi on October 22, 2026.

The international forum brings together speakers, presiding officers, and lawmakers from BRICS nations and invited partner countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inaugural sessions.

India has received participation confirmations from most member nations. However, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia have expressed their inability to attend this edition.

What Is the BRICS Parliamentary Forum?

The BRICS Parliamentary Forum acts as an inter-parliamentary platform for lawmakers from member states. It fosters democratic dialogue, aligns legislative priorities, and helps member nations exchange best practices regarding governance, legal frameworks, and international trade.

The 2026 summit focuses on empowering legislative bodies to address everyday public concerns. Delegations will examine how parliamentary oversight can handle emerging technological and economic disruptions effectively.

Five Core Pillars of the 12th Forum Agenda

The two-day conference structures its official deliberations across five primary thematic pillars:

1. Institutional Resilience: Developing mechanisms for parliaments to maintain legislative functions and protect democratic principles during global crises.
2. Ethical Artificial Intelligence: Formulating statutory guardrails to guide responsible AI adoption across public administration without compromising citizen privacy.
3. Digital Transformation: Modernizing parliamentary workflows and deploying digital tools to improve transparent communication between citizens and elected representatives.
4. Reform of Global Governance: Advocating structural updates across international institutions to reflect evolving global political and economic realities.
5. Sustainable Development: Drafting people-centric legislative policies that support green economic growth, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation.

Strategic Bilateral and Multilateral Dialogues

Alongside plenary sessions, the program includes structured bilateral and multilateral meetings. Delegations will conduct side-line talks to build legislative consensus, negotiate bilateral trade alignments, and solve shared regional challenges.

Om Birla Clarifies Key Domestic Parliamentary Issues

During the media briefing, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also addressed pressing domestic legislative questions.

Constitutional Clarification on Prorogation

When reporters asked about delays in proroguing the Monsoon Session and rumors of a special sitting on delimitation, Birla cited Article 85 of the Constitution. He clarified that the Lok Sabha Speaker lacks independent authority to summon or prorogue parliamentary sessions. That power rests exclusively with the Union Executive and Cabinet.

Update on TMC Anti-Defection Proceedings

Birla also discussed pending disqualification petitions against 20 rebel MPs who split from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Following the West Bengal Assembly elections, these 20 lawmakers announced their alignment with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) and sought separate seating in the House.

The TMC filed formal disqualification petitions under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), arguing the MPs voluntarily gave up party membership after winning on the TMC symbol.

Birla stated that he is expediting the hearing process following written submissions from the lawmakers. He noted that the matter remains under active consideration, following a September 23 directive from the Supreme Court expecting an expeditious ruling.

Comprehensive Summary: Key Summit Parameters