What Did Om Birla Discuss with Iran's Speaker at the BRICS Parliamentary Forum?

Strengthening India-Iran Relations at BRICS

Brasilia: During the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brazil's capital, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla engaged in a bilateral meeting with Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran's Majles. Their conversation revolved around the long-standing and friendly relations between India and Iran, particularly emphasizing the enhancement of connectivity via the Chabahar Port.

The dialogue aimed to strengthen ties between the two nations, focusing on the strategic significance of Chabahar Port, which plays a crucial role in improving connectivity across South Asia and Central Asia.

Speaker Birla took to social media platform X to share insights from their meeting, highlighting the importance of their discussions.

He stated, "On the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasília, I had a warm interaction with H.E. Dr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Majles of Iran. We discussed our ancient and cordial relations, focusing on enhancing connectivity through the Chabahar Port, strengthening parliamentary cooperation, and addressing regional and global challenges. I emphasized the need for collective global efforts to combat terrorism and appreciated Iran's support in this area. I also reaffirmed India's commitment to countering terrorism through legal frameworks, technological advancements, and improved coordination among relevant agencies. I extended an invitation to Dr. Ghalibaf to join the BRICS Parliamentary Forum hosted by India in 2026."

Birla also highlighted India's dedication to inclusive technological development, showcasing the nation's vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a blend of ancient values and modern innovation.

At a session titled "Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation for Responsible and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence," he articulated India's perspective on AI, emphasizing its human-centric approach that upholds justice, equality, and human rights. He discussed how India is integrating AI into vital sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, climate action, education, and governance, ensuring it benefits all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

Additionally, Birla participated in a working session called "BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development," where he reiterated India's call for a fair and rule-based global trading system that prioritizes the Global South. He stressed the necessity of enhancing trade, investment, and financial collaboration among BRICS nations.

"Today, the BRICS group has emerged as a formidable force in the global economic landscape, representing nearly 45 percent of the world's population and contributing 40 percent to global GDP based on purchasing power parity," Birla remarked, commending Brazil's Parliament for successfully hosting the forum.

The BRICS coalition comprises 11 countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this year, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were welcomed as partner countries of BRICS.