NEW DELHI, October 24. /TASS/. India favors continued efforts to strengthen relations with Russia that have a long history and are very strong, Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the People (the lower house of India’s parliament), told TASS ahead of a visit by a Duma delegation to New Delhi for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

"India-Russia relations are old and ancient and very strong. These relations go back to old times. We want these relations further be strengthened," Birla said.

"Indian Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] and [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin are also very close, the Russian-Indian summit is held annually. Today our people are very connected, very close," the Lok Sabha speaker added.

New Delhi will host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on October 26-27. The theme of the event will be "Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development." Participants are expected to issue a joint statement following the forum.