India and Russia Push for Stronger Ties at BRICS Forum
VP CP Radhakrishnan and Russian Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin discuss trade and tech cooperation at the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi.
In a significant move to bolster diplomatic and legislative ties, Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha CP Radhakrishnan met with Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. The high-level meeting took place at Parliament House in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026, focusing on India Russia parliamentary cooperation and the expansion of bilateral engagement.
Deepening Legislative and Economic Bonds
The discussions between the two leaders centered on strengthening the parliamentary connection between the two nations. A key priority highlighted during the meeting was the need to boost trade and explore new avenues for economic growth that would benefit both India and Russia.
Beyond trade, the leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration in several critical sectors, including:
- Science and Technology: Exploring joint ventures and research opportunities.
- Cultural Exchanges: Expanding programs to foster deeper people-to-people connections.
- Bilateral Engagement: Enhancing the overall strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Vice President's office shared the update on X, stating that the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding collaboration in science, technology, and cultural exchanges for mutual benefit.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
The visit of the Russian delegation saw multiple high-profile interactions. Prior to the meeting with the Vice President, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held talks with Chairman Volodin and his accompanying delegation. Minister Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in meeting the Russian leadership and noted that their discussions focused on deepening parliamentary linkages and overall bilateral cooperation.
These interactions underscore the commitment of both nations to maintain their "special and privileged strategic partnership," especially as they navigate a complex global landscape by expanding diplomatic and economic cooperation.
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026
The bilateral meetings occurred within the framework of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, held in New Delhi on October 26-27. Hosted under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship, the forum operated under the theme “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development.”
The forum served as a platform for parliamentary leaders and delegations from BRICS member and partner nations to engage in critical dialogues regarding:
- Institutional Resilience: Building stronger governance frameworks.
- Ethical AI: Discussing the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence.
- Digital Transformation: Adapting to the evolving digital landscape.
- Global Governance Reform: Deliberating on the need for changes in international governing bodies.