Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking their second meeting this year.
Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 11 September 2026
The two leaders had earlier met on 31 August 2026 in Bishkek, on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit.
During their meeting, PM Modi and President Putin reviewed progress in India-Russia cooperation across politics, trade and economy, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties.
The leaders welcomed the first edition of Russia’s INNOPROM India industrial exhibition, held in India from 9–11 September 2026, and highlighted its potential to further expand bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. They also visited the exhibition and interacted with participating businesses and industry representatives.
The two leaders discussed India-Russia engagement in the multilateral sphere, particularly within BRICS during India’s 2026 chairship. They also exchanged views on important regional and global developments, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have affected maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
PM Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward in resolving conflicts, adding that India remains ready to contribute to peace efforts.
The leaders agreed to maintain close engagement to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, which has continued to grow despite geopolitical uncertainties.
President Putin also invited PM Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. PM Modi accepted the invitation, with dates to be finalised through diplomatic channels at a mutually convenient time.
Bottom line: The Modi-Putin meeting reinforced the breadth and resilience of the India-Russia strategic partnership, with trade, defence, energy, technology and global issues all featuring in the discussions.
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