1. Why Is the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in the News?

The Parliament of India is hosting the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on 26 and 27 October 2026.

The meeting brings together parliamentary representatives from BRICS member and partner countries.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the conference on 26 October.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with parliamentary delegations.

The forum provides an opportunity for lawmakers to discuss common challenges and explore international cooperation.

2. Key Facts About the 2026 Forum

The forum is a parliamentary cooperation platform. It should not be confused with the BRICS Summit of heads of state and government.

3. What Is BRICS?

BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies that cooperate on international economic, political and development issues.

The original BRIC grouping included Brazil, Russia, India and China.

South Africa subsequently joined, creating the BRICS acronym.

The grouping has since expanded to include additional members.

BRICS cooperation covers areas such as development finance, international governance, technology, trade and sustainable development.

4. What Is the BRICS Parliamentary Forum?

The BRICS Parliamentary Forum provides a platform for parliamentary leaders and legislators to exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation.

Unlike executive-level summits, parliamentary forums focus on the role of legislatures.

Major Functions

• Exchange parliamentary experiences.
• Discuss shared legislative challenges.
• Strengthen parliamentary diplomacy.
• Promote institutional cooperation.
• Encourage dialogue on global governance.
• Support knowledge sharing and capacity building.

The forum itself does not directly make laws that automatically apply to all participating countries.

5. Understanding Parliamentary Diplomacy

Parliamentary diplomacy means engagement between legislators and parliamentary institutions of different countries.

Traditional diplomacy is generally led by governments through foreign ministries and diplomatic missions.

Parliamentary diplomacy adds another channel of international dialogue.

6. Four Pillars of the 2026 Forum

A. Resilience

Resilience refers to the ability of institutions to respond effectively to uncertainty and major challenges.

Parliaments can strengthen resilience through legislation, oversight and institutional accountability.

B. Innovation

Innovation focuses on the responsible use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital systems.

The forum discusses how parliamentary institutions can support human-centred technology governance.

C. Cooperation

Cooperation involves improving dialogue among countries and supporting more representative global governance.

D. Sustainability

Sustainability focuses on development that addresses present needs without undermining the well-being of future generations.

7. Why Is Artificial Intelligence Governance Important?

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in public services, education, healthcare, industry and digital platforms.

However, AI also raises questions about fairness, privacy, accountability and public safety.

Governments and parliaments must consider how to encourage innovation while protecting citizens.

Major AI Governance Challenges

• Protection of personal data.
• Algorithmic discrimination.
• Transparency of automated decisions.
• Accountability for harmful outcomes.
• Misuse of deepfakes and misinformation.
• Cybersecurity risks.
• Unequal access to technology.

These challenges often cross national borders, making international dialogue important.

8. What Is Ethical AI?

Ethical AI refers to developing and using artificial intelligence in ways consistent with human rights, fairness and public welfare.

Important Principles

• Fairness: Avoid unjust discrimination.
• Transparency: Explain relevant system decisions.
• Accountability: Establish responsibility for outcomes.
• Privacy: Protect personal information.
• Safety: Reduce foreseeable harms.
• Human Oversight: Maintain meaningful human responsibility.

The BRICS Parliamentary Forum provides an opportunity to exchange perspectives on these principles.

However, discussions about ethical AI should not be mistaken for the adoption of a single binding BRICS AI law.

9. Role of Parliaments in AI Governance

Parliaments can shape technology governance through several important functions.

1. Debating and enacting relevant laws.
2. Reviewing executive policies.
3. Examining public expenditure.
4. Protecting fundamental rights.
5. Conducting committee inquiries.
6. Promoting transparency and accountability.

International parliamentary dialogue can help legislators learn from different national approaches.

10. BRICS and the Global South

The term Global South generally refers to developing and emerging economies with shared concerns about development and representation.

It is not simply a geographical term.

Many countries associated with the Global South seek greater participation in international decision-making.

Important Concerns

• Access to development finance.
• Technology transfer.
• Climate finance.
• Reform of global institutions.
• Digital inclusion.
• Fairer international economic opportunities.

BRICS provides one platform through which participating countries can discuss these concerns.

11. Why Does Global Governance Reform Matter?

Global governance refers to international rules, institutions and cooperation mechanisms used to address shared problems.

Countries often disagree about whether existing institutions adequately represent the contemporary world.

Emerging economies frequently advocate greater representation and participation in global decision-making.

Possible Areas of Reform

• Representation in international institutions.
• Development financing arrangements.
• Cooperation on climate change.
• International technology governance.
• Responses to cross-border crises.

Parliamentary dialogue can contribute ideas and political understanding, although formal institutional reforms require separate decision-making processes.

12. India's Strategic Importance

Hosting the BRICS Parliamentary Forum gives India an opportunity to strengthen engagement with participating countries.

India can highlight its perspectives on inclusive development, digital transformation, institutional cooperation and international governance.

Potential Benefits

• Stronger parliamentary relationships.
• Greater dialogue on emerging technologies.
• Cooperation on sustainable development.
• Exchange of legislative practices.
• More opportunities for Global South engagement.

These are potential benefits, not guaranteed outcomes of the conference.

13. Parliamentary Diplomacy and India's Constitution

India's Parliament performs important legislative, financial and oversight functions.

These functions provide a foundation for discussing institutional accountability with other parliaments.

Relevant Constitutional Provisions

International parliamentary discussions do not themselves change Indian law.

Any domestic legislative action must follow applicable constitutional procedures.

14. Sustainable Development and BRICS Cooperation

Sustainable development requires balancing economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

BRICS countries face different development challenges, but many share concerns about energy security, infrastructure, poverty and climate resilience.

Parliaments can contribute through budgetary oversight, policy debate and legislation.

Cooperation may also help countries exchange experiences in public service delivery and environmental governance.

15. Major Challenges Facing BRICS Cooperation

Different National Priorities

Member countries have different economic structures and foreign-policy interests.

Geopolitical Differences

Strategic disagreements can make consensus difficult on sensitive issues.

Implementation Gaps

International declarations require follow-up actions to produce practical results.

Technology Inequality

Countries differ in access to digital infrastructure, AI expertise and investment.

Institutional Diversity

Participating countries have different political and parliamentary systems.

16. The Way Forward

1. Promote Responsible AI: Encourage cooperation on fairness, transparency and human oversight.
2. Strengthen Parliamentary Dialogue: Support regular engagement among legislative institutions.
3. Improve Global South Representation: Create more opportunities for developing countries to influence global discussions.
4. Focus on Implementation: Translate shared priorities into practical national and international initiatives.
5. Support Digital Inclusion: Address gaps in infrastructure, skills and technology access.
6. Advance Sustainable Development: Encourage cooperation on climate resilience, social inclusion and development.

17. UPSC Prelims Quick Revision

18. UPSC Prelims Practice MCQs

19. UPSC Mains Practice Question

20. Frequently Asked Questions

21. Conclusion: From Parliamentary Dialogue to Action

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum highlights the growing importance of legislative cooperation in international relations.

Issues such as artificial intelligence, climate change and global governance cannot be addressed effectively through isolated national action alone.

Parliamentary institutions can contribute through legislation, public accountability and exchange of experience.

For India, hosting the forum creates an opportunity to strengthen its engagement with BRICS and the Global South.

Final UPSC Takeaway: The value of international parliamentary cooperation lies in translating shared global priorities into responsible policies and meaningful benefits for citizens.

Editorial Disclaimer: This article provides original educational analysis for UPSC preparation based on publicly reported information available on 26 October 2026. The forum is scheduled to continue through 27 October. No final conference declaration or post-event outcome is claimed here. Analytical observations about possible benefits and policy reforms are not official conference decisions.