Iran’s Ghalibaf Withdraws From BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will not attend the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum scheduled to be held in New Delhi on October 26 and 27, 2026. The Iranian Embassy in India announced his absence on October 24, citing unforeseen circumstances. Although the senior Iranian leader will not be present, an Iranian parliamentary delegation is expected to participate in the two-day meeting.
The development comes shortly after reports indicated that Ghalibaf was scheduled to visit India for the forum. His withdrawal changes the expected level of Iran’s senior parliamentary representation at the gathering, which will bring together legislative leaders and representatives from BRICS member and partner countries. The embassy has not publicly provided further details about the circumstances behind his decision.
Iranian Delegation to Participate Despite Speaker’s Absence
According to reports on the embassy’s announcement, Iran will continue to participate in the parliamentary forum through an official delegation. The embassy reaffirmed the country’s commitment to active engagement in BRICS meetings and discussions.
The Iranian delegation is expected to continue consultations with representatives from other participating countries, particularly on parliamentary relations and bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Iran’s participation through its delegation means that Ghalibaf’s absence does not amount to a withdrawal from the event.
The embassy also expressed appreciation to the Government of India for its arrangements and hospitality. It conveyed its hope that the meeting would produce constructive outcomes and strengthen cooperation among participating countries.
No official explanation beyond the reference to unforeseen circumstances has been established in the announcement. Therefore, the reason for Ghalibaf’s absence should not be linked to regional conflicts, diplomatic disagreements or bilateral tensions without further confirmation.
India to Host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum
India will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on October 26 and 27 at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in New Delhi. According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the conference will be inaugurated on October 26 and will bring together presiding officers of parliaments, members of parliament and other dignitaries from BRICS member and partner countries.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has outlined the importance of the gathering as an opportunity to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and promote dialogue among participating countries. India is hosting the meeting under its BRICS chairship, with people-centric development serving as the broader theme.
The programme is expected to include plenary sessions, parallel meetings, bilateral exchanges and discussions involving parliamentary representatives. A meeting of delegation secretaries was also scheduled for October 25 to finalise the joint statement of the forum.
The gathering is intended to provide a platform for lawmakers to exchange ideas, share legislative practices and explore ways to improve cooperation on issues affecting their countries and the wider international community.
Key Issues on the Forum’s Agenda
The parliamentary forum is expected to address several major themes, including institutional resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Discussions are also planned on the role of parliaments in strengthening governance, the responsible use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, and reforms to global governance institutions.
According to remarks made by Om Birla ahead of the event, the meeting will consider how parliaments can promote human-centred technological development and respond to global challenges. Parliamentary best practices and capacity-building initiatives are also expected to feature in the discussions.
The forum will offer opportunities for delegates to engage in bilateral and multilateral exchanges. These meetings can help participating countries discuss shared concerns, develop parliamentary links and identify areas for future cooperation.
A joint statement is expected to be an important outcome of the meeting, with the final text intended to reflect areas of agreement among participating delegations. The precise outcome will depend on the discussions and consensus reached during the event.
Significance for India-Iran Parliamentary Engagement
Iran’s participation remains relevant to the wider BRICS framework, even with its parliamentary speaker absent. The delegation’s presence provides an opportunity to maintain communication with representatives of India and other participating countries.
India and Iran have engaged in bilateral discussions on regional developments and cooperation through multilateral platforms. At the BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed aspects of bilateral relations and developments in West Asia. India reiterated the importance of resolving issues through dialogue and diplomacy.
However, Ghalibaf’s absence from the parliamentary forum should not automatically be interpreted as a change in India-Iran relations. The embassy has cited unforeseen circumstances without publicly connecting the decision to a diplomatic dispute or any specific political issue.
The forum will proceed with participating delegations from BRICS member and partner countries. Iran’s representation through its parliamentary delegation is expected to allow discussions and exchanges to continue despite the absence of its speaker.
What Happens Next?
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is scheduled to conclude on October 27. Delegates are expected to participate in sessions on governance, technological development, parliamentary cooperation and sustainable development, alongside bilateral discussions.
The Iranian delegation’s participation will be one of the elements to watch as the meeting gets underway. Further details about the composition of the delegation and any additional explanation for Ghalibaf’s absence may emerge through official announcements.
For now, the confirmed position is that Ghalibaf will not attend, the Iranian Embassy has cited unforeseen circumstances, and an Iranian parliamentary delegation will participate. Any claims about the underlying reason for the cancellation remain unconfirmed unless supported by further official information.
