New Delhi, Oct 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met members of an Iranian parliamentary delegation on Monday on the sidelines of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi, highlighting the continuing engagement between India and Iran.
The Iranian Embassy in India shared details of the meetings on social media platform X, stating that the Indian leaders received Iranian parliamentary representatives during courtesy calls held alongside the forum.
The interaction underscored the importance of bilateral relations between the two countries as parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner nations gathered in the Indian capital to discuss cooperation and people-centric development.
BRICS Parliamentary Forum Brings Leaders Together
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum commenced in New Delhi on Monday, bringing together presiding officers, parliamentary representatives and other dignitaries from BRICS member and partner countries.
The gathering provides a platform for legislators to exchange views, strengthen parliamentary cooperation and discuss shared priorities amid evolving global and regional developments.
Participants include Union Ministers, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, presiding officers of state legislatures, Members of Parliament and other invited dignitaries.
Om Birla Calls for Dialogue and Mutual Respect
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the meeting and welcomed delegates from BRICS member nations, emphasising the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation among participating countries.
In his inaugural address, Birla said the presence of parliamentary delegations from BRICS nations in India, the world’s largest democracy, represented a significant opportunity to reinforce their shared commitment to cooperation.
He also highlighted the importance of parliamentary engagement in strengthening mutual trust and advancing democratic values.
Birla noted that the BRICS Parliamentary Forum is marking its 20th anniversary this year, adding that the organisation is expanding and increasing its capacity to influence global developments and international relations.
Iranian Delegation Meets Lok Sabha Speaker
Earlier on Monday, the visiting Iranian parliamentary delegation held talks with Om Birla as part of its participation in the forum.
The Iranian Embassy confirmed the meeting in a post on X, stating that representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran had met the Lok Sabha Speaker in New Delhi.
The delegation arrived in the Indian capital on Sunday to attend the two-day parliamentary gathering.
The meetings between Indian leaders and Iranian representatives formed part of the diplomatic engagements surrounding the forum, which aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among participating countries.