External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin in New Delhi to discuss bilateral cooperation and stronger parliamentary ties. The meeting took place during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, highlighting India-Russia relations and multipolar world cooperation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, in New Delhi on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and opportunities to strengthen parliamentary relations between India and Russia. The meeting took place during the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, bringing parliamentary leaders from member and partner countries together to discuss international cooperation and shared challenges.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar shared details of the interaction on social media platform X, saying he was pleased to meet Volodin and his delegation. He stated that discussions focused on bilateral cooperation and opportunities to deepen parliamentary linkages between the two countries.
Volodin is visiting India to participate in the two-day 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, being hosted by the Parliament of India on October 26 and 27. The forum provides a platform for parliamentary leaders to exchange views on people-centric development, institutional cooperation and contemporary global issues. According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the discussions are taking place under India’s BRICS chairship in 2026.
Addressing the plenary session of the forum, Volodin highlighted the importance of respecting national sovereignty and recognising each country’s right to follow its own development path.
He said BRICS countries have different political systems, economic models and traditions, but share an interest in building a multipolar world that respects different approaches and national legislation. He emphasised that cooperation among participating countries should be based on mutual respect and recognition of their sovereign choices.
Volodin also described BRICS as an important pillar of the emerging multipolar world, noting that the grouping has expanded its role in international cooperation over the past two decades. He said relations among BRICS countries demonstrate how sovereign states can work together on mutually beneficial terms, develop their economies and improve the well-being of their citizens.
During his visit, Volodin also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of the parliamentary forum and conveyed greetings and best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian parliamentary chairman began his working visit to India on Sunday and held bilateral discussions with foreign counterparts on the sidelines of the forum. His visit also included engagements with Indian parliamentary representatives to explore ways to strengthen institutional cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, parliamentary cooperation remains an important component of the India-Russia relationship, which it describes as a privileged strategic partnership rooted in friendship, trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. The ministry has emphasised the importance of continued engagement between the two countries’ legislative institutions.
India and Russia have maintained longstanding diplomatic and strategic relations, with cooperation extending across several areas. Parliamentary exchanges provide an additional channel for dialogue, allowing lawmakers and institutional representatives to discuss common concerns, exchange legislative experiences and maintain regular communication.
The broader BRICS Parliamentary Forum agenda includes discussions on strengthening parliamentary institutions, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. The gathering also provides opportunities for bilateral meetings among delegations from participating countries.
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The meeting between the Jaishankar and Volodin comes as India hosts international parliamentary representatives in New Delhi, underscoring the role of parliamentary diplomacy in maintaining dialogue between countries. Both sides discussed ways to deepen parliamentary engagement alongside their broader bilateral cooperation.
The forum is scheduled to conclude on October 27, with participating delegations expected to continue discussions on shared priorities and cooperation among BRICS parliamentary institutions.
