Iran will send parliamentary representatives to the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on Oct. 26-27 without Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, whose absence the embassy has not explained.
The Embassy of Iran in New Delhi said Oct. 24 that Qalibaf would not attend. It cited “certain unforeseen circumstances” but gave no further details.
The embassy said Iranian parliamentarians would take part and consult with delegations from BRICS member countries. It identified parliamentary cooperation as one subject of those discussions, which it said would address bilateral and multilateral ties.
NDTV Profit reported that Iran had not disclosed who would lead its delegation in Qalibaf’s absence.
India’s Parliament will host the 12th forum at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. The two-day meeting is due to open Oct. 26, according to an Oct. 22 announcement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat published by the Press Information Bureau.
The program includes sessions on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Parliamentary leaders from BRICS member and partner countries are expected to attend. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to take part and meet visiting delegation leaders, the announcement said.
India’s official schedule sets a meeting of delegation secretaries for Oct. 25, with a joint statement due to be completed before the forum opens.
