BRICS claims to be the voice of the Global South. Critically assess whether its institutional tracks, including its parliamentary track, have moved beyond declarations to delivery.

BRICS now brings together member and partner countries and presents itself as the voice of the Global South [1]. At the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum (New Delhi, 2026), however, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged the grouping to go "beyond dialogue and declarations" [1]. That is an admission that BRICS has moved only partly from words to results.

Tracks that have begun to deliver

• Financial track: the New Development Bank had approved about USD 43 billion for 139 projects in member countries by the end of 2025 [2]. This is BRICS's clearest real output.
• Executive track: the New Delhi Summit, chaired by PM Modi, adopted its Joint Statement unanimously [1]. That shows consensus among very different members.
• Parliamentary track: the Forum's theme was "Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development" [1]. It gives legislatures the job of turning summit pledges into results through legislation, budgets, deliberation and oversight [1]. MPs from ruling and opposition parties act as "bridges of understanding", which can keep ties going when governments change [1].
• Global backing: a 2025 UNGA resolution (153–1) asks UN country teams to work with national parliaments on development strategies [3]. This gives the parliamentary route wider legitimacy.

Tracks that remain declaratory

• No follow-up mechanism: the Forum is a consultative body that respects each nation's sovereignty. It has no reporting system, deadlines or review of whether parliaments acted [1].
• Constitutional gap (India): under Article 73, foreign affairs belong to the executive. A non-treaty Joint Statement needs no Article 253 law, so it never reaches Parliament unless MPs raise it.
• Weak oversight at home: the share of Bills sent to committees fell from 71% (15th Lok Sabha) to 11% (17th, up to March 2021). 76% of the 2021 Budget passed without discussion [4]. The host underuses the very tools the Forum promotes.

Way forward

• Refer the Joint Statement to the Standing Committee on External Affairs and ask the ministry for a one-year progress report.
• As chair, India could propose that each member parliament report its follow-up at the next Forum.

BRICS has delivered through finance, but its political and parliamentary tracks remain largely about intent. If parliaments use their budget and oversight powers at home, the Forum's people-centric pledge can become accountable delivery. That would also serve SDG 16 (effective, accountable institutions) and give real weight to BRICS's claim to speak for the Global South.