Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, reaffirming the resilience of the India-Russia strategic partnership amid major geopolitical and economic challenges.
The meeting came less than two weeks after the two leaders met at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on August 31. Their latest talks covered a broad range of bilateral and international issues, including trade, defence, energy, infrastructure, space, technology and people-to-people ties.
Trade and economic cooperation take centre stage
Modi and Putin reviewed progress on expanding economic relations, including implementation of the India-Russia Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030.
The two countries are targeting an increase in bilateral trade from nearly $70 billion in 2024–25 to $100 billion by 2030, highlighting the importance both governments place on strengthening commercial ties. The leaders also welcomed the first INNOPROM India industrial exhibition, held in New Delhi from September 9 to 11, as a platform for expanding industrial and investment cooperation.
Energy remains particularly important to the relationship. Russia continues to be a major supplier of crude oil to India, with Russian oil accounting for as much as 51% of India’s crude imports in 2026, according to Reuters, as disruptions in Middle Eastern supplies reshaped global energy flows.
Defence and strategic partnership
The leaders also reviewed cooperation in defence and security, alongside collaboration in space and other strategic sectors.
Their meeting underscored what New Delhi and Moscow describe as their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, which both sides say has remained resilient despite growing geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on international trade and energy markets.
Ukraine, West Asia and maritime security
Regional and global conflicts were also discussed, particularly the continuing instability in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
According to India’s Prime Minister’s Office, the conflicts have affected maritime trade as well as the safety and security of Indian seafarers. Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving conflicts, while offering India’s support for peace efforts.
The discussions come as the BRICS summit takes place against a backdrop of wars, disrupted shipping routes and growing competition between major global powers. The expanded 11-member BRICS grouping is seeking greater cooperation on trade, finance and global governance while its members maintain differing positions on major geopolitical issues.
Putin invites Modi to Russia
Putin also invited Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. Modi accepted the invitation, with the dates to be finalized through diplomatic channels.
In a symbolic gesture of cultural diplomacy, Modi presented Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the ancient Tamil text attributed to poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar.
BRICS diplomacy gathers momentum
The Modi-Putin meeting comes as New Delhi hosts one of the most consequential BRICS gatherings since the group’s expansion.
The summit is bringing together major emerging economies at a time when questions over global trade, sanctions, energy security, alternative payment systems and the future of the international order are increasingly prominent. BRICS now represents nearly half of the world’s population and around 40% of global economic output measured by purchasing power parity.
With India seeking to balance its relationships with Russia, China, the United States and other major powers, the Modi-Putin talks reinforce New Delhi’s strategy of maintaining strong ties with Moscow while using BRICS as a platform for wider international cooperation.
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