PM Modi, Russia’s Putin hold high-stakes talks ahead of BRICS summit

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchange a handshake during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit 2026, in New Delhi on September 11, 2026. Photo: @MEAIndia X/ANI Photo

Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first foreign dignitary to arrive in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (September 11, 2026) and reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties. Mr. Modi reemphasized that “India stood ready to assist in peace efforts.”

“During today’s meeting we talked about: closer trade ties, including implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030. Cooperation in areas like infrastructure, energy, technology, defence, culture, and more,” said Prime Minister Modi in his remarks.

Sources said the two sides discussed steps to increase the bilateral trade target to $100 billion by 2030 and projects on civil nuclear cooperation. Mr. Modi reiterated his call to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has continued for more than four-and-a-half years.

“The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility, and people-to-people domains,” said the External Affairs Ministry after the meeting. The two leaders exchanged views on the conflict in West Asia and the spillover effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Black Sea region, affecting Indian seafarers. Several Indian sailors were killed in attacks by Russian and Ukrainian forces on foreign-flagged vessels.

“Prime Minister once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts,” the Ministry said in a press note. President Putin invited Prime Minister Modi for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, which India accepted. The dates of the summit will be decided as per “mutual convenience” following diplomatic consultations.

The talks featured ways to expand industrial cooperation with Russia, collaboration in railway and tunneling, developing a steel value chain, and more business-to-business opportunities. Russia has been increasing employment opportunities for Indian blue-collar professionals and cooperation in the mobility of skilled manpower.

Against the backdrop of the conflict in West Asia and supply chain disruptions, measures to ensure the flow of energy and fertilizers through strategic joint ventures were discussed, as was cooperation in critical minerals.

#WATCH | PM @narendramodi presents Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during the bilateral meeting in New Delhi. @BricsIndia2026 @MEAIndia #BRICS2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #IndiaBRICSChairship #BRICS26OnDD pic.twitter.com/TVb3eV9dgv

Prime Minister Modi gifted President Putin a Russian translation of Thirukkural, the classical Tamil poem collection authored by poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Mr. Modi was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S.