Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to hold a significant bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Friday. The talks precede the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting from September 12-13, 2026. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that trade and economic cooperation would be central to their discussions.
President Putin's visit to India for the BRICS Summit provides a crucial opportunity for the two leaders to strengthen bilateral relations. Moscow has also expressed appreciation for India's willingness to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, a topic expected to feature in their private discussions.
Key Agenda Items for the Bilateral Meeting
The upcoming meeting between PM Modi and President Putin is anticipated to cover several critical areas:
- Trade and Economic Cooperation: Strengthening economic ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration will be a primary focus.
- Nuclear Power Plants: Russia is keen to discuss the establishment of new nuclear power plants in India, building on existing cooperation.
- Defense Procurement: The possible sale of advanced Su-57 fighter aircraft to India is also on the agenda, indicating continued defense partnership.
- Financial Cooperation: Discussions will include payment mechanisms, with Russia noting that 90% of its transactions with BRICS nations now occur in national currencies. Peskov clarified this move is a response to the use of national currencies for political pressure and sanctions, rather than a deliberate de-dollarization strategy.
Peskov highlighted the close personal rapport between Modi and Putin, emphasizing their pragmatic relationship that allows for open and constructive dialogue on sensitive issues, fostering new opportunities for cooperation.
BRICS Summit Context
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." The summit aims to expand cooperation among member nations across diverse sectors, including trade, agriculture, healthcare, energy, digital technology, urban development, small enterprises, startups, climate action, and cultural exchanges. Russia has voiced its support for India's efforts in hosting the summit and strengthening BRICS cooperation in policy, security, economy, finance, and cultural affairs, also endorsing the invitation of new countries to participate in various BRICS formats.