Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit, beginning a high-profile India visit during which he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on defence, energy, trade and geopolitical developments before joining leaders of the expanded grouping.
Putin was received by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on his arrival. His visit comes ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12 and 13, which India is hosting amid heightened global tensions, including the conflict in West Asia and disruption to crucial energy and shipping routes. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders are also expected in the Capital for the gathering.
Putin and Modi are scheduled to hold bilateral talks on Friday, less than two weeks after they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek on August 31. At that meeting, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in political, economic, defence, energy, space and mobility sectors and discussed the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
Defence, energy on talks agenda
Defence cooperation is expected to feature prominently in Friday’s discussions. The two sides are likely to review the remaining delivery of India’s S-400 air defence systems as well as prospects for deeper cooperation involving the BrahMos missile programme. Discussions surrounding advanced Russian military technology, including the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft, are also expected to figure in the broader defence dialogue.
Energy will be another major component of the talks. Russia has emerged as an important crude oil supplier to India in recent years, while the two countries have continued cooperation in civilian nuclear energy. Moscow has indicated its willingness to expand nuclear cooperation, including through additional generating capacity and technology partnerships.
The leaders are also expected to discuss ways of expanding bilateral trade and correcting the substantial imbalance in Russia’s favour. India has sought greater market access for its pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, engineering goods and other exports while exploring new mechanisms for settlements in national currencies.
Connectivity initiatives, including the International North-South Transport Corridor, and cooperation in fertilisers, critical minerals, space and mobility are also likely to be discussed.
BRICS meets amid geopolitical strain
Putin’s arrival comes as India prepares to host one of the most geopolitically consequential BRICS summits in recent years. The grouping has expanded to 11 full members, increasing its economic and demographic weight but also making consensus more complicated.
The continuing West Asia conflict is expected to dominate diplomatic discussions. Iran is now a BRICS member, while tensions involving Tehran have disrupted energy markets and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Recent instability around the Red Sea has further increased concerns over global trade and energy security.
The summit is also expected to consider proposals for a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund, an incubator network and a logistics and supply-chain cooperation framework, alongside discussions on reform of multilateral institutions and greater economic cooperation among members.
Second Modi-Putin meeting in two weeks
Friday’s talks will be the second face-to-face meeting between Modi and Putin within a fortnight and follow the Russian President’s visit to Delhi for the India-Russia annual summit in December 2025.
At their Bishkek meeting last month, Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remained the way forward in resolving international conflicts. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
Putin’s presence at the Delhi summit is expected to underline the durability of the relationship at a time of considerable geopolitical realignment. For India, the bilateral engagement will also provide an opportunity to balance longstanding ties with Moscow with its expanding partnerships with Western countries while pursuing its strategic and energy interests.