New Delhi, [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum and interacted with foreign delegates at the Central Hall of the ‘Samvidhan Sadan’ in the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. The forum, which began earlier in the day, brings together parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries to discuss ways to strengthen parliamentary cooperation and advance people-centric development.
Dignitaries at the event
The event was attended by Presiding Officers and Parliamentary Leaders of BRICS Member and Partner States, Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Presiding Officers of State Legislatures, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s inaugural address
Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the meeting and welcomed the delegates of the BRICS member countries. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation among the participating countries. In his inaugural address, Birla welcomed the delegates and said, “On this occasion, the presence of parliamentary delegations of BRICS member countries in India, the world’s largest democratic country, and a shared commitment, is a special experience in itself.”
Underlining the importance of parliamentary engagement among BRICS countries, the Lok Sabha Speaker said, “The presence of BRICS Parliamentary Cooperation in India reflects our shared commitment to dialogue and mutual respect and our shared belief in democratic values.”
20th Anniversary of BRICS and Collective Power
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla informed that the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. He said the organization is “rapidly expanding” and at the same time “its ability to influence global events and international relations” is growing. The Lok Sabha Speaker said that BRICS countries represent nearly half of the world’s population, cover nearly one-third of the global landmass, and have a significant share in the global economy and international trade.
He said that it “reflects our collective strength and global responsibility”. “BRICS countries may be geographically, culturally, linguistically and socially different, but our shared responsibility towards democratic values and humanity bind us together,” he said.”
“The unanimous adoption of the Joint Statement at the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi is a great achievement, for which I express my gratitude to all BRICS member countries.”
The Role of Parliaments and the Global South
He also emphasized that Parliaments can play an important role in promoting mutual understanding and trust among nations, reducing international tensions and addressing global challenges through peaceful means. “Parliaments can play a special role in strengthening mutual understanding and trust, reducing international tensions and peacefully addressing global challenges,” he said.
The Lok Sabha Speaker further highlighted that BRICS has the potential to amplify the voice of the ‘Global South’ and strengthen its influence in international affairs discussions. “BRICS has the potential to become a strong voice of the ‘Global South’. We have to ensure that our ambitions are not limited to just discussions, but are also practical and achievable.
[DD News]