Jaishankar and Volodin Meet to Boost India-Russia Legislative Ties
EAM S Jaishankar and Russian Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin discuss deepening bilateral and legislative ties during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum.
In a significant diplomatic encounter on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The high-level meeting focused on strengthening the bilateral cooperation between India and Russia, with a specific emphasis on deepening parliamentary linkages.
Strengthening the Strategic Partnership
Taking to social media to share the details of the interaction, Minister Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in meeting Chairman Volodin and his delegation. The discussions centered on how both nations can enhance their legislative ties to complement the existing "special and privileged strategic partnership" that has long defined the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow.
The meeting underscores the commitment of both countries to expand their diplomatic cooperation and explore new avenues for economic and trade growth within various international frameworks.
A Hub of Global Diplomacy in New Delhi
The bilateral talk took place amidst the bustling activity of the two-day BRICS Parliamentary Forum, hosted by the Parliament of India at the Parliament House complex. The event saw a massive gathering of lawmakers, with delegations from 11 BRICS member countries and 10 partner nations arriving in the national capital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the forum, extending a warm welcome to the foreign delegations, including Chairman Volodin. The forum is being chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who delivered the inaugural address on Monday morning.
Russia's Wide-Ranging Engagements
Chairman Volodin's visit to India was not limited to his meeting with Minister Jaishankar. On Sunday, the Russian Duma Chairman held a series of bilateral discussions with other international counterparts to broaden Russia's diplomatic reach. These meetings included talks with:
- Marksons Jacob Oboth, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda.
- Ana María Mari Machado, Vice President of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba.
- Mongkol Surasajja, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand.
India's Role as BRICS President
With India currently holding the BRICS presidency, the parliamentary forum serves as a critical platform for lawmakers to exchange perspectives on shared global challenges. The event highlights the evolving nature of the bloc, which now includes full members like Russia and Brazil, as well as newer partner countries such as Uganda and Cuba, who joined in 2025.