Om Birla Reaffirms India’s Commitment to Fair Global Trade at BRICS Parliamentary Forum
Brasilia/New Delhi, June 6 – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla strongly reiterated India’s unwavering support for a fair, rule-based global trading system that genuinely represents the Global South during his address at the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, currently underway in Brasília, Brazil.
Strengthening BRICS Economic Cooperation
Speaking at the working session titled "BRICS Parliamentary Action in Search of New Paths for Economic Development," Birla highlighted the significant role BRICS plays in shaping the global economy.
“BRICS today accounts for nearly 45% of the world’s population and contributes 40% of the global GDP based on purchasing power parity,” said Birla.
He emphasized that despite ongoing global economic challenges, BRICS countries have demonstrated resilient economic growth. He called for deeper trade, investment, and financial cooperation among member states to further boost economic progress.
Representation Imbalance in Global Institutions
Raising a critical point, Birla flagged the underrepresentation of developing countries in key international institutions, stressing the need for institutional reforms to ensure equity in global governance.
“These imbalances hinder global equity and sustainable development. BRICS must work together to increase our collective participation,” he said.
Covid-19 and the Global South
The Lok Sabha Speaker acknowledged the disproportionate impact of global crises—especially the COVID-19 pandemic—on the Global South, leading to setbacks in health, food, and energy security.
He warned that without coordinated global efforts, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would become increasingly difficult for many nations.
India's Economic Growth: A Global Standout
Birla presented India as a shining example of economic resilience:
“India has consistently outperformed the global growth average. From 2014 to 2025, our GDP has grown at an average of 7%, making us the fastest-growing major economy in the world.”
He credited strong institutions, transparent governance, and stable leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s consistent progress across sectors.
India’s Vision for BRICS
Om Birla emphasized that India sees the BRICS Parliamentary Forum as a vital platform to reshape the meaning of economic development through collaborative efforts and meaningful dialogue.
“Through BRICS, we aim to redefine global cooperation for sustainable growth and inclusive development,” he added.
Bilateral Dialogue with Brazil’s Parliament
On the sidelines of the Forum, Birla met Hugo Motta, President of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, for a bilateral meeting focusing on counter-terrorism collaboration.
“All nations must unite to eliminate the global threat of terrorism,” Birla asserted, sharing India’s steadfast national resolve.
He also discussed India's digital transformation in parliamentary processes, including the implementation of Digital Sansad and AI-based tools that have made the Indian Parliament increasingly paperless and future-ready.
High-Level Delegation Represents India
The Indian delegation, received in Brasília by Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia, includes:
- Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh
- Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar
- Lok Sabha MPs Vijay Baghel, Vivek Thakur, and Shabari Byreddy
- Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh
- Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody
The delegation reaffirmed India’s commitment to inter-parliamentary cooperation as a pillar of inclusive global development.
About the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum
Held from June 4–5, the Forum brought together legislative representatives from the 11 BRICS member countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.
The gathering emphasized sustainable development, social justice, and multilateral governance. Notably, the BRICS group has also welcomed nine new partner nations in 2024, including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and Malaysia.