Putin Meets Modi as India Hosts BRICS Summit

Sep. 11, 2026 Vladimir Putin. India's Ministry of External Affairs / Handout via REUTERS President Vladimir Putin arrived in India early Friday for a three-day visit to attend the BRICS leaders’ summit and deepen strategic ties with New Delhi. On Friday afternoon, Putin met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks focused on trade and energy. Sources cited by Indian media said the two leaders would discuss expanding Russian-Indian trade to $100 billion by 2030, supported by increasing cooperation in rail transit, steel production, critical minerals, fertilizers and nuclear energy. The Kremlin said earlier this week that the possible sale of Russian Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jets to India is also on the agenda. A delegation of more than 300 Russian executives is accompanying Putin to New Delhi to negotiate supply chains and food security contracts. Putin is scheduled to give a speech at the BRICS business forum later on Friday. The main plenary session of the bloc’s leaders will take place on Saturday, followed by an expanded session the following day with partner states and international organizations. BRICS was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in global affairs. BRICS has since expanded beyond its original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Ethiopia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran and the UAE. This year’s BRICS summit seeks to lift the bloc’s global profile even as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran splits its nembers, with Tehran and Abu Dhabi on opposing sides of the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that the differences between the UAE and Iran had a “negative impact” on the organization, hindering the drafting of a joint declaration. However, he expressed hope that leaders would be able to find a phrasing in the declaration that would be acceptable to all member countries. Russia remains one of India’s largest energy suppliers. However, New Delhi has tried to balance its longstanding strategic partnership with Moscow against pressure from Washington over its purchases of Russian crude. Putin and Modi last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan earlier this month, when Modi told Putin that the Ukraine war needs to end for humanity’s sake. The Indian leader said he would support any effort to stop the war. Reuters and AFP contributed reporting. Read more about: BRICS , Putin , India Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Putin Pledges Steady Oil Supplies to India as He Meets Modi in New Delhi The two leaders met on Friday for a summit focused on energy, defense and trade. 2 Min read Putin Warns Against ‘Illusory’ Attempts to Defeat Russia The Kremlin leader made the remarks ahead of his first meeting with UN chief Antonio Guterres in more than two years. 2 Min read Indian PM Modi to Visit Russia in July – Reports “I can confirm that we’re preparing a visit by the prime minister of India,” Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov told state media. 1 Min read Putin to Take Part in Virtual BRICS Summit on Gaza The meeting will be chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the hope of drawing up a common response to the more than six-week conflict. 1 Min read