**Putin Arrives in India for BRICS Summit**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has landed in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, marking the beginning of a three-day working visit that will include significant bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Putin's arrival took place early on Friday, September 11, 2023, where he was greeted with a ceremonial welcome, stepping onto a red carpet and receiving honors from a military guard before departing the airport in his Aurus presidential limousine.
The BRICS Summit, which will take place over the weekend, is being held under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." India is currently chairing the BRICS group, which has expanded to include 11 member nations and covers a wide array of topics such as trade, finance, technology, development, and the reform of global institutions.
On the agenda for Putin's visit are bilateral talks with Modi scheduled for Friday. The discussions are expected to cover a comprehensive range of issues pertinent to Russian-Indian relations, including trade, energy, defense, and industrial cooperation. This meeting is particularly significant as it comes shortly after a recent encounter between the two leaders at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, where they reviewed ongoing cooperation in various sectors.
In addition to the summit discussions, Putin and Modi are set to jointly visit INNOPROM India 2026, which is the inaugural Indian edition of Russia's prominent international industrial exhibition. This event, taking place from September 9 to 11 at Bharat Mandapam, aims to foster collaboration in manufacturing, technology, investment, and business relations between Russia and India. The exhibition is organized under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, alongside India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Putin's last visit to India occurred in December 2025 during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The upcoming discussions are anticipated to further strengthen the ties between Russia and India, particularly in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape.
As the BRICS Summit approaches, the focus will be on enhancing cooperation among member states to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. The outcomes of the summit and the bilateral talks between Putin and Modi will likely have significant implications for the future of Russian-Indian relations and the broader BRICS agenda.