New Delhi, Oct 26 Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Monday said people across the world expect parliaments to respond effectively to emerging challenges and such bodies must remain vigilant, responsive, and future-ready.
Welcoming delegates at the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in the central hall of Parliament here, he hoped discussions in the forum would provide an opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and identify parliamentary approaches that contribute to improving the people’s lives.
Harivansh said that BRICS, representing around 49.5 per cent of the global population, has become an effective multilateral platform for consultation and cooperation on global and regional issues.
The inaugural session theme, “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development”, is both timely and relevant, he said.
“Citizens across the world expect Parliaments to respond effectively to emerging challenges, whether arising from economic uncertainties, technological transformation, climate change, public health emergencies, or social inequalities.
“Consequently, Parliaments must remain vigilant, responsive, dynamic, and future-ready in these fast-changing times,” the deputy chairman said in a statement.
He said it was an honour to have all dignitaries and delegates in the Central Hall, a silent yet living witness to India’s evolution as one of the world’s largest, most vibrant, and successful democracies.
Harivansh called India a timeless repository of knowledge, wisdom, and civilisational heritage, with its rich diversity of cultures, languages, landscapes, customs, and traditions.
He said he was confident the delegates would carry back warm, lasting impressions of the country.
Harivansh recalled that during the 2026 BRICS Presidency, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, introduced a transformative vision of a “people-centric” and “humanity first” approach.
Guided by this vision, the BRICS has adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Modi championed the bloc’s expansion to strengthen the voice and trust of the Global South, he said.
Harivansh said India’s presidency of the 18th BRICS Summit culminated in the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration, which advanced global governance reforms and fostered a more balanced, multipolar world order.
The deputy chair extended his greetings to all delegates and wished them productive discussions, successful outcomes, and a pleasant and memorable stay in India.
(PTI News)
