BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Liechtenstein Visit and Ostrahind Drill

New Delhi, October 25: The week ahead holds notable developments for India's foreign engagement. New Delhi will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, Liechtenstein's Hereditary Prince Alois is on a state visit to India, and the Indian and Australian armies have begun a joint exercise in Kerala.

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum is scheduled for October 26 and 27 in New Delhi. Under the theme 'Empowering Parliaments for People-Centric Development,' lawmakers from BRICS member nations and partner countries will gather to discuss parliamentary cooperation, development goals, and collaboration in multilateral forums.

The event gives India a chance to build stronger parliamentary communication with its member states. Participants will share their experiences and discuss issues linked to development, welfare, and international partnership. Bilateral meetings are also likely, potentially improving contact between the attending countries.

Hereditary Prince Alois, who is also acting head of state of Liechtenstein, will remain in India on a state visit from October 25 to 28. The visit is considered important for strengthening diplomatic relations and advancing economic opportunities. Business, investment, and other sectors of cooperation are expected to feature in discussions.

Liechtenstein, a small yet economically well-off nation in Europe, plays a key role in India's economic and commercial ties. The state visit allows both countries to deliberate on shared interests and look for fresh openings for future cooperation.

In military cooperation, the armies of India and Australia are participating in the fifth edition of the joint exercise Ostrahind 2026 in Kerala. Conducted at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, the exercise continues until November 1 and involves roughly 240 personnel from the two countries.

The two-week drill seeks to enhance tactical coordination and interoperability between the forces. Emphasis is placed on joint operational skills in jungle, island, and coastal conditions. Such exercises help each side understand the other's operating procedures and address common security challenges more effectively.

Defence collaboration between India and Australia has broadened in recent years, with joint military exercises forming a significant part of this partnership. Through these activities, both countries work on improving military training, sharing experiences, and building joint action capabilities.