BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Delhi adopts declaration on West Asia, terror and sanctions
In one line: Legislators from BRICS countries, meeting in New Delhi under India's chairship, unanimously adopted a declaration on West Asia, sanctions, terrorism and global governance.
Published 28 October 2026. Written by Pratidin from the reports linked at the end; every fact checked by a separate review before publishing. How we work
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum ended in New Delhi on 27 October 2026 with a joint declaration adopted unanimously. The Parliament of India hosted the two-day meeting (26 and 27 October) under the theme "Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development", with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as the Forum's chairperson. Eleven BRICS member countries and ten partner countries were invited. The forum held four high-level sessions on resilience, innovation (including digital technology and artificial intelligence), cooperation for a more representative global governance system, and sustainability, plus a separate meeting of the chairs of parliamentary committees on international affairs.
The declaration expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in West Asia and called for "exercising maximum restraint", for protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for dialogue and diplomacy towards lasting peace. It called for keeping global trade, supply chains and energy flows open, consistent with international law, and opposed unilateral coercive measures, including economic and secondary sanctions. It sought reform of global governance towards a fairer, more democratic multilateral system with the Global South as a driver of change. On terrorism it condemned all terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, specifically condemned the 22 April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, and pledged to counter cross-border movement of terrorists, terror financing and safe havens, rejecting double standards.
The BRICS Parliamentary Forum brings together the presiding officers and members of BRICS legislatures. Brazil proposed it in 2011, and the first forum was held under Russia's presidency in 2015. India presided over the forum in 2016 and 2021; the 11th forum met in Brasília in 2025 under Brazil's BRICS presidency. The 2026 forum, held under India's BRICS chairship, is the first since the group's expansion to be hosted by India. For New Delhi, the text matters on two counts: it names the Pahalgam attack in a BRICS document, and its language on secondary sanctions and open energy flows reflects concerns of oil importers like India. The declaration is a statement by legislators and does not bind governments.
Prelims facts
- The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum met in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 2026 under the theme 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'.
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the Forum; the joint declaration was adopted unanimously on 27 October 2026.
- The declaration opposed unilateral coercive measures, including economic and secondary sanctions, and backed open trade, supply chains and energy flows.
- It condemned the 22 April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people and rejected double standards on terrorism.
- The first BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in 2015 under Russia's presidency; the 11th met in Brasília in 2025.
Quick recall
- Where and when was the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held?
- New Delhi, 26 and 27 October 2026.
- Theme of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum?
- 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'.
- Who chaired the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum?
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
- When and under whose presidency was the first BRICS Parliamentary Forum held?
- 2015, under Russia's presidency.
- Which country first proposed a BRICS parliamentary forum?
- Brazil, in 2011.
- Where was the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held?
- Brasília, Brazil, in 2025.
- Which terror attack did the 2026 declaration specifically condemn?
- The 22 April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people.
- What kinds of measures did the declaration oppose?
- Unilateral coercive measures, including economic and secondary sanctions.
Prelims practice question
With reference to the BRICS Parliamentary Forum, consider the following statements:
1. The first BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in 2015 under Russia's presidency.
2. The 12th Forum was held in New Delhi in 2026.
3. Declarations of the Forum are legally binding on BRICS governments.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only. 1 is correct: the first forum met in 2015 under Russia's presidency. 2 is correct: the 12th forum met in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 2026. 3 is wrong: the Forum is a gathering of legislators; its declarations express positions and do not bind governments.
Use this in UPSC Mains: previous-year questions
Recurring theme: BRICS and India's multilateral diplomacy for the Global South
- How to use this
Use the October 2026 BRICS legislators' declaration as evidence of BRICS articulating Global South positions distinct from Western-led groupings.
- The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum (New Delhi, October 2026) unanimously opposed unilateral coercive measures, including secondary sanctions.
- It called for a fairer, more democratic multilateral system with the Global South as a driver of change.
- It condemned the 22 April 2025 J&K attack and rejected double standards on terrorism, reflecting India's priorities.
Tests BRICS membership and summit facts; the forum adds the parliamentary track and the eleven-member grouping.
Tests BRICS history; the parliamentary forum's own timeline (2011 proposal, 2015 first meeting) is a likely follow-up.
Mains practice question
What role can parliamentary diplomacy play in multilateral groupings like BRICS? Discuss with reference to the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum hosted by India. (150 words)
Model answer
Parliamentary diplomacy is engagement between legislatures that complements the work of governments. India's hosting of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26 and 27 October 2026 shows its uses.
Roles
- Building consensus: the forum's declaration, adopted unanimously, backed restraint in West Asia, protection of civilians and dialogue.
- Voicing shared interests: it opposed unilateral coercive measures, including secondary sanctions, and backed open energy and trade flows.
- Advancing India's priorities: it condemned the 22 April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir and rejected double standards on terrorism.
- Global governance reform: it called for a fairer multilateral system with the Global South as a driver.
- Capacity building: sessions on digital technology, AI and sustainability, and a meeting of foreign affairs committee chairs.
Limits
- Declarations do not bind governments.
- Divergent interests in an expanded BRICS limit depth.
Used well, parliamentary forums add legitimacy and continuity to India's multilateral diplomacy.
The basics
Why this matters
BRICS is now an eleven-member grouping that India chairs in 2026. Its parliamentary track is less known than its summits, but it is a regular Prelims trap and a useful Mains example of how India uses multilateral fora to push its concerns on terrorism, sanctions and global governance.
What BRICS is
BRICS began as an economists' label for fast-growing economies and became a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China, later joined by South Africa. It expanded from 2024, and it now also has a category of partner countries.
- 1Founding fourBrazil, Russia, India, China
- 2South AfricaJoined the original group, giving the 'S'
- 32024 expansionEgypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE (Saudi Arabia is also listed as a member by BRICS hosts)
- 4IndonesiaBecame a full member in 2025
The parliamentary track
The BRICS Parliamentary Forum is a meeting of presiding officers and legislators of BRICS countries. Brazil proposed it in 2011, and it has met yearly since 2015 under the presidency of the BRICS chair. It is part of a wider practice called Parliamentary diplomacy, in which legislatures build ties alongside governments.
- 2011Brazil proposes a permanent forum of BRICS legislators
- 2015First forum under Russia's presidency
- 2016India presides over the forum
- 2021India presides again
- 202511th forum in Brasília under Brazil's presidency
- October 202612th forum in New Delhi adopts a joint declaration
What the Delhi declaration says
- 1West AsiaMaximum restraint, protect civilians and infrastructure, dialogue
- 2Trade and energyKeep trade, supply chains and energy flowing under international law
- 3SanctionsOpposes unilateral coercive measures, including secondary sanctions
- 4TerrorismCondemns the 22 April 2025 J&K attack; no double standards
- 5Governance and climateFairer multilateral system; NDCs, adaptation and just transition
Why India cares
India buys much of its oil abroad, so language opposing Unilateral coercive measures such as secondary sanctions, and backing open energy flows, matches its interests. Getting the Pahalgam attack named in a text agreed by legislators from countries as different as China, Iran and the UAE is a diplomatic gain. But these are statements of legislators, not governments, and do not bind anyone.
Go deeper
Why it matters for UPSC
BRICS is a frequent Prelims topic, and Mains asks how BRICS serves the Global South and India. The forum is an example of parliamentary diplomacy and of India using a grouping to push its line on terrorism.
The core idea
BRICS works mainly through summits of leaders, but it has parallel tracks. The BRICS Parliamentary Forum is the legislators' track, a form of Parliamentary diplomacy. At its 12th meeting the forum agreed language that matters to India: open energy flows, opposition to Unilateral coercive measures including secondary sanctions, and a named condemnation of the April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Numbers and dates to remember
- 26 and 27 October 2026: 12th forum, New Delhi.
- 11 member and 10 partner countries invited.
- Chair: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
- 2015: first forum (Russia); 2011: Brazil's proposal; 2025: 11th forum in Brasília.
- 22 April 2025: J&K attack (26 killed) condemned in the text.
Where to go next
- BRICS: who is in the group and how it grew.
- BRICS Parliamentary Forum: the legislators' track and its history.
- Parliamentary diplomacy: why legislatures do foreign policy.
- Unilateral coercive measures: what the forum opposed and why it matters to India.
Go deeper: does a legislators' declaration matter?
Why it helps India. A unanimous text that names the Pahalgam attack and rejects 'double standards' on terrorism gives India a citation in future debates, including with members such as China. The line on keeping energy flowing and against secondary sanctions reflects the position of large oil importers facing sanctions-linked pressure. It also lets India showcase its Parliament as host in its chairship year.
Why it is limited. The BRICS Parliamentary Forum has no binding power; governments set policy. An expanded BRICS includes members with very different positions on West Asia, which is why the text speaks of restraint and dialogue without naming parties.
Parliamentary versus executive diplomacy. Parliamentary diplomacy adds continuity because legislatures outlast governments, and it builds personal ties among presiding officers. India's Speaker said India has parliamentary friendship groups with 64 countries. Critics say such forums risk becoming ceremonial unless their declarations feed into parliamentary debate at home.
Sanctions as a fault line. Opposition to Unilateral coercive measures is a long-standing Global South position at the UN. For India, which also partners closely with the West, the challenge is to oppose secondary sanctions without appearing to join an anti-Western bloc.
BRICS
Who is in the group and how it grew.
In one line: BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that began with Brazil, Russia, India and China and has grown to eleven members.
Origins and growth
The first summit of the four (BRIC) was held in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. South Africa joined soon after, giving the 'S'. In 2024 Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE joined; Saudi Arabia was invited and is listed as a member by BRICS hosts. Indonesia became a full member in 2025. A separate category of partner countries was created in 2024.
How it works
BRICS has no charter or secretariat. The chair rotates yearly; India holds it in 2026. Its institutions include the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, alongside tracks for ministers, businesses and legislators.
Where to go next
BRICS Parliamentary Forum
The legislators' track and its history.
In one line: The BRICS Parliamentary Forum is the annual meeting of presiding officers and members of BRICS legislatures, held by the country that chairs BRICS.
History
Brazil proposed a permanent forum in 2011, after BRIC legislators met on the sidelines of a G20 parliamentary meeting. The first forum met in 2015 under Russia's presidency. India presided in 2016 and 2021. Some editions were virtual during the pandemic. The 11th met in Brasília in 2025, and the 12th in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 2026.
The 2026 meeting
Chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, it held four sessions (resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability) and a meeting of foreign affairs committee chairs, and adopted a unanimous declaration.
Where to go next
Parliamentary diplomacy
Why legislatures do foreign policy.
In one line: Parliamentary diplomacy is the use of contacts between legislatures and legislators to build trust and advance national interests alongside the executive's diplomacy.
Forms it takes
- Multilateral forums of legislators, such as the BRICS Parliamentary Forum.
- Visits of presiding officers and parliamentary delegations.
- Parliamentary friendship groups; India's Speaker said India has such groups with 64 countries.
- Meetings of foreign affairs committees.
Why it matters
Legislators shape treaties, budgets and public opinion. Their ties give continuity when governments change and allow frank exchanges outside formal negotiations. The limits: declarations do not bind governments, and the executive leads foreign policy in India.
Where to go next
Unilateral coercive measures
What the forum opposed and why it matters to India.
In one line: Unilateral coercive measures are economic or political penalties imposed by one country or bloc on another without UN Security Council authorisation, including secondary sanctions.
Primary and secondary sanctions
Primary sanctions bar a country's own firms and citizens from dealing with a target. Secondary sanctions go further: they penalise firms or countries elsewhere for dealing with the target, for example by cutting them off from the sanctioning country's market or banks.
Why it matters for India
India imports much of its oil and has faced pressure over purchases from sanctioned suppliers. Many developing countries argue at the UN that such measures hurt civilians and trade. The 2026 BRICS legislators' declaration opposed them and called for trade, supply chains and energy to keep flowing in line with international law.
Where to go next
Take the 28 October 2026 quiz: 24 Prelims-style questions with answers