BRICS Parliamentary Forum: Strengthening Democracy and Embracing AI
Representatives from 16 countries gather in New Delhi for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum to discuss democratic values, AI, and diplomatic ties.
The national capital, New Delhi, recently became the hub of global legislative dialogue as it hosted the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum. The two-day event, held at the Parliament House complex, brought together lawmakers and representatives from 16 countries to brainstorm on the future of governance, democratic resilience, and the integration of modern technology into legislative frameworks.
Modernizing Democracy and Accountability
Assam BJP president and Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia highlighted the core objectives of the summit, noting that the discussions were centered on strengthening parliamentary democracy and promoting democratic values. According to Saikia, the forum focused heavily on improving accountability to citizens and the need to modernize long-standing parliamentary traditions to meet contemporary needs.
The summit was structured into three sessions, where delegates explored how legislatures can evolve to be more transparent and responsive to the people they represent.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Governance
Beyond the traditional aspects of lawmaking, the forum ventured into the digital frontier. A significant portion of the sessions was dedicated to emerging technologies, with a specific focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The representatives discussed the relevance of AI in parliamentary processes, exploring how such technology could streamline legislative work and enhance the efficiency of governance across member and partner nations.
Diplomatic Ties and High-Level Interactions
The event served as more than just a series of discussions; it acted as a catalyst for bilateral diplomacy. On the sidelines of the forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor held courtesy calls with parliamentary representatives from Iran.
The Iranian Embassy in India later emphasized that these interactions were crucial, underscoring the enduring importance of the bilateral relationship between India and Iran.
The Power of Parliamentary Diplomacy
Adding a different perspective, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor spoke about the unique value of "parliamentary diplomacy." He argued that dialogue between lawmakers is often more informal and flexible than official government-to-government interactions, allowing for a deeper level of engagement.
Tharoor recalled the impact of parliamentary delegations sent abroad following Operation Sindoor last year, noting that foreign counterparts found direct conversations with MPs to be exceptionally useful.
"Governments do all the official stuff... but there is also a very important role that is played by parliamentarians," Tharoor stated, emphasizing that not every international relation is strictly about geopolitics.
Global Participation
The scale of the forum was evident in its attendance, with delegations representing 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations arriving in New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who welcomed the foreign delegations to the Indian Parliament, setting the stage for two days of cross-border collaboration and legislative exchange.