PM Modi, Putin Discuss Trade, Energy and Defence Cooperation in Delhi
New Delhi, September 11, 2026 The India-Russia relationship took centre stage in New Delhi on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his three-day visit to India. With trade, investment, energy and strategic cooperation forming the broader focus, the meeting comes at an important moment for both countries as India prepares to host the BRICS Summit. Putin’s visit carries added significance as it is his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. He last visited India in December 2025 for the annual India-Russia summit and has travelled to New Delhi this time with a high-level delegation. The latest Modi-Putin engagement follows their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek last week. At that meeting, Modi had urged Putin to move from an “endless war towards the end of war,” in reference to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that began five years ago after Moscow’s full-scale invasion. The two leaders are expected to assess the progress made in their bilateral partnership and take up matters of strategic importance. Defence cooperation is likely to receive particular attention, including existing projects as well as possible future initiatives. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier said that bilateral relations and ongoing global developments would be discussed, with Putin also expected to brief Modi on the current situation in Ukraine. The meeting takes place on the eve of the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host in New Delhi on September 12-13 as the grouping’s 2026 Chair. Leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees, will deliberate on strengthening cooperation around shared priorities and exchange views on global and regional issues. The Modi-Putin talks thus add a significant bilateral dimension to India’s wider diplomatic engagements surrounding the summit.
