Putin India visit: Russian President lands in Delhi ahead of talks with PM Modi , BRICS Summit; trade, energy in focus
ADVERTISEMENT
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day visit to India ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit. He was received by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. Putin is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and address the BRICS Business Forum during his stay.
The BRICS leaders’ summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 under India’s chairship, as the grouping marks its 20th anniversary. Putin’s visit is expected to give fresh momentum to the India-Russia strategic partnership, with trade, cross-border payment mechanisms and energy security likely to feature prominently in the Modi-Putin talks.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, said in a post on X, "Honoured to receive H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit. India warmly welcomes President Putin. His presence at the Summit reflects the enduring strength and importance of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia."
Modi-Putin talks to focus on economic ties
Putin will address the plenary session of the BRICS Business Forum on Friday before his bilateral meeting with Modi. The two leaders will also visit the INNOPROM exhibition, organised by the industry and trade ministries of India and Russia.
The Kremlin said, "On September 11, Vladimir Putin will address the plenary session of the annual BRICS Business Forum, which traditionally precedes the summit and serves as an important platform for dialogue among business representatives from BRICS countries. On the same day, the President of Russia will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, together with him, visit the INNOPROM exhibition, organised by the two countries’ ministries of industry and trade."
The meeting follows the leaders’ August 31 interaction on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, where they discussed politics, trade, defence, energy, space and mobility, along with developments in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
Defence, rare earths also on agenda
Defence cooperation is expected to remain an important part of the broader India-Russia relationship. Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter could figure in discussions, while Moscow has also expressed interest in expanding cooperation with India in emerging areas such as rare earths.
The economic relationship is likely to receive particular attention as both countries explore mechanisms to facilitate trade and payments despite geopolitical pressures and Western sanctions on Moscow.
Putin to meet BRICS leaders in Delhi
Putin’s schedule includes meetings with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff on Friday. He is scheduled to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on September 12, while a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is also under consideration.
The expanded BRICS grouping now has 11 full members, including India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia. India’s summit priorities include trade, digital commerce, cross-border payments, energy security, resilient supply chains, artificial intelligence, development finance and reforms of global institutions.
Putin’s arrival in Delhi thus places the India-Russia relationship among the key economic and diplomatic themes of India’s BRICS presidency.