Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Russia

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led the Indian delegation to the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. During the first plenary session, he emphasized the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation to create a more inclusive and democratic BRICS partnership.

Birla reiterated India’s commitment to democratic values and sustainable development, highlighting that India is a proactive partner in advancing the BRICS agenda. He noted that 65 crore voters participated in the recent Lok Sabha elections, leading to Narendra Modi’s third term as Prime Minister and his own re-election as Speaker.

Birla welcomed new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to the BRICS Parliamentary Forum and praised the Russian Chair for their seamless integration. He stressed that BRICS represents the interests of the developing world and advocates for the democratization of global governance systems and the reform of international organizations like the UN Security Council and WTO.

He highlighted India’s commitment to uniting emerging markets and developing countries, emphasizing principles such as mutual respect, understanding, equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness, and consensus. Birla also mentioned India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ meaning ‘the world is one family,’ aligning with BRICS’ commitment to equality and cooperation.

Birla underscored the successful G20 Summit and the ninth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) in New Delhi, which showcased India’s dedication to collaborative solutions for global well-being and inclusive development. He stressed the importance of parliamentarians in advancing the BRICS agenda and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Birla called for enhanced cooperation among BRICS parliaments to reform global governance, improve multilateral organizations, promote economic recovery, and accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. He also met with Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), during his visit.

This visit marked Birla’s first foreign trip to Russia after being re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker for the second consecutive term.