The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the association, concluded in New Delhi. International relations expert and GlobUs member Rishabh Sethi discussed why cultural exchange and parliamentary diplomacy are becoming key tools for bringing countries closer together.
According to him, the forum’s final declaration reaffirmed a commitment to sovereign equality and multilateralism, as well as strengthening the voice of the Global South.
«Public diplomacy remains one of BRICS’s key strengths. Literature, cinema, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges help countries understand each other beyond official meetings,» he noted.
Sethi emphasized that multipolarity is not a split, but an expansion of opportunities.
«A multipolar world should be understood as an opportunity for broader participation, respectful dialogue, and shared responsibility, not as division. Countries can preserve their unique civilizational identities by working together toward common goals,» the expert stated.
He also emphasized the importance of the parliamentary dimension. According to him, the active participation of the Russian delegation, led by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, underscored the value of practical cooperation.
«People-to-people ties can give new impetus to our friendship. BRICS is a valuable platform for uniting cultures and building international understanding,» he concluded.
#GlobUs #BRICS #India #Russia #diplomacy