Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. This was their first face-to-face meeting in 2026, following an earlier meeting in Delhi in December 2025.
What was discussed
The two leaders reviewed the state of bilateral ties across multiple sectors. These included political relations, trade and economics, defence cooperation, energy partnerships, space exploration, transport links, and cultural and people-to-people exchange.
India and Russia welcomed the results of their 27th Inter-Governmental Commission meeting, held in Moscow on 24 August 2026. This commission handles trade, economic and cultural matters between the two nations.
The leaders also discussed India’s role in BRICS during 2026, when India holds the chair of this grouping of major developing economies. They exchanged views on regional conflicts affecting their shared interests, particularly the situations in West Asia and around the Black Sea. Modi stressed that these conflicts have disrupted maritime trade and endangered Indian seafarers at sea.
The Prime Minister emphasised that peaceful resolution through dialogue and negotiation remained the preferred path for addressing international disputes.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening what they describe as a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. They noted that despite global geopolitical tensions, this relationship has remained stable and continues to deepen.
Modi extended an invitation to President Putin to visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for 12 and 13 September 2026.
What this means for you
India’s strategic partnership with Russia covers defence, energy and space—sectors that influence India’s technological capacity and security posture. The emphasis on maritime safety reflects government concern about threats to Indian shipping and sailors operating in conflict zones. As chair of BRICS, India is also positioning itself to shape dialogue among major global powers on pressing international issues.