India-Russia ties show resilience despite geopolitical uncertainty; PM Modi & Putin review trade, energy, defence and space cooperation
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday reviewed bilateral cooperation across trade, economy, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties, as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The meeting, their first this year, comes after Putin's visit to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in December 2025. The two leaders also welcomed the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural matters, held in Moscow on August 24.
"Had extensive discussions with President Putin. Discussed the full range of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. It is gladdening to see significant progress across various sectors in recent years. Focus areas for the India-Russia friendship remain energy, innovation, space, fertilisers and people-to-people linkages, tweeted PM Modi.
Trade, energy and strategic ties
The discussions covered a broad range of economic and strategic sectors, including trade, energy and space, highlighting the breadth of the India-Russia partnership. The two sides also reviewed cooperation in defence and mobility, besides people-to-people ties.
The leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen their "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership", which, according to the government, "continues to register significant growth" and has demonstrated resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties.
The talks also covered India's engagement with Russia in multilateral forums, particularly BRICS, with India holding the grouping's chairship in 2026.
Maritime trade, conflicts in focus
Modi and Putin exchanged views on key regional and global developments, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region. The government said the conflicts have affected maritime trade as well as the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
Against this backdrop, Modi reiterated India's position that "dialogue and diplomacy" are the way forward for resolving conflicts. In his remarks following the meeting, the Prime Minister also said, "We have to move from a situation of 'endless war' to 'end of war'," while stressing that an early end to the conflict was in the interest of humanity.
The bilateral meeting also set the stage for the next major India-Russia engagement. Modi said he looks forward to welcoming Putin to India for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12-13, 2026.