Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 11 September 2026. This was their second meeting in 2026, following an earlier encounter in Bishkek during the SCO Summit in August. The two leaders discussed cooperation across multiple areas and reviewed India-Russia ties in the context of India’s current BRICS leadership.
What was discussed
The Prime Minister and President Putin reviewed bilateral cooperation spanning political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people exchanges. They highlighted Russia’s International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM India”, held in India for the first time from 9 to 11 September 2026, as a platform for expanding trade and industrial partnerships. Both leaders visited the exhibition and engaged with participating organisations.
The two leaders also discussed multilateral cooperation, particularly India’s role as BRICS Chair in 2026. They exchanged views on key global and regional matters of shared concern, including the situations in West Asia and the Black Sea region. The Prime Minister emphasised that dialogue and diplomacy offered the most viable path to resolving conflicts, and that India was prepared to support peace initiatives.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. They noted that this relationship has continued to grow significantly and demonstrated stability despite global geopolitical challenges.
What this means for you
India and Russia are working to deepen ties in defence, energy and industrial sectors at a time of global tensions. The emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy signals India’s approach to regional conflicts affecting Indian maritime interests and seafarer safety. Future cooperation outcomes from the proposed India-Russia Annual Summit in Russia will shape bilateral engagement in defence, trade and technology areas relevant to Indian citizens and businesses.