"We actively support the parliamentary dimension of BRICS, considering the fact that the member-countries of the association have close bilateral ties, like between Russia and India," Lavrov said. "This [BRICS parliamentary forum that took place in Moscow on June 8] is an interesting opportunity to hold a multilateral exchange of opinions," he noted.

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Moscow supports the development of inter-parliamentary relations in the framework of BRICS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday at a meeting with Indian MP Shashi Tharoor.

"BRICS has developed naturally without artificial influences," Lavrov said. "It is valued by all participants of this format," he added.

The Russian foreign minister described the relations between Moscow and New Delhi as a strategic partnership. Lavrov reminded that India will hold the presidency in BRICS next year.

Tharoor highly assessed the organization of the parliamentary forum in Moscow. "Discussions were useful and productive," he said.

BRICS is an association of five major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - founded in June 2006. The first official summit took place in June 2009 in Russia’s Yekaterinburg. Since then, meetings at the highest level are held annually in member-countries. The last summit took place in Brazil. On April 1, Russia accepted BRICS presidency. On June 8, BRICS first parliamentary summit took place in Moscow.