BRICS Consensus? Shashi Tharoor Hopeful for Joint Declaration
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expresses optimism for a joint declaration at the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum being hosted in New Delhi.
As the 12th BRICS parliamentary forum unfolds in the heart of the national capital, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has voiced his optimism that the participating nations will reach a common ground. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tharoor expressed his hope that a joint declaration would be adopted by Tuesday, noting that active efforts are currently underway to build a consensus among the diverse member and partner countries.
Drawing Inspiration from the New Delhi Declaration
Tharoor pointed toward the success of the 18th BRICS Summit as a blueprint for the current forum. He recalled how the New Delhi Declaration 2026 was unanimously adopted despite initial skepticism regarding whether such an agreement was even possible among the member nations.
“Last time when the summit happened, a declaration was adopted despite the fact that some countries felt it would not be possible for the countries of BRICS to agree. And they did agree,” Tharoor remarked.
He added that if the current trajectory of discussions continues positively, the parliamentarians of BRICS should be able to issue a similar declaration tomorrow.
The Power of Parliamentary Diplomacy
Beyond the quest for a formal document, Tharoor emphasized the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy. He argued that direct engagement between lawmakers offers a unique channel for dialogue that exists outside the rigid structures of formal government-to-government interactions.
To illustrate this, he referenced the parliamentary delegations sent abroad following Operation Sindoor last year, noting that international representatives highly valued the chance to interact directly with Indian MPs. According to Tharoor, global relations are not solely defined by geopolitics; parliamentarians play a vital, distinct role in shaping international cooperation.
A Global Gathering in New Delhi
The two-day event, hosted by the Parliament of India at the Parliament House complex, is a massive diplomatic undertaking. It has brought together parliamentary delegations from 11 member countries and 10 partner nations, including representatives from Russia, Brazil, Cuba, and Uganda.
The forum was officially kicked off on Monday with an inaugural address by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who serves as the chair of the forum. The gathering serves as a strategic platform for lawmakers to exchange perspectives on shared global challenges and to bolster cooperation between the participating legislatures.
Context of India's BRICS Leadership
This forum follows the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi this September, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the unanimous adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026. That summit focused heavily on:
- Diplomacy and Dialogue: Prioritizing the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
- Trade: Addressing concerns regarding unilateral trade measures.
- Global Governance: Pushing for reforms in global governance and addressing the specific needs of developing nations.
- Core Pillars: India's chairship has centered on the themes of resilience, innovation, sustainability, and cooperation.