New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the two leaders reviewing the progress of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
The meeting, held on September 11 ahead of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit, covered a wide range of areas including political relations, trade and investment, defence cooperation, energy, space, technology, skill mobility and people-to-people ties.
Focus on Regional and Global Developments
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin also exchanged views on key regional and global developments, particularly the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region. India highlighted concerns over the impact of these conflicts on maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward for resolving conflicts, while reaffirming India’s readiness to support peace efforts.
The discussions come at a time when disruptions in major maritime routes and geopolitical tensions are affecting global trade, energy supplies and supply chains.
Strengthening Trade and Economic Cooperation
Economic cooperation remained an important component of the discussions. India and Russia have set an ambitious target of taking bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2030, building on the significant growth recorded in recent years.
The two sides also discussed the implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030, along with opportunities in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence and other sectors.
President Putin also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, finance and technology, while highlighting the evolving economic role of BRICS and emerging economies.
Defence and Strategic Partnership
Defence cooperation continues to remain a key pillar of India-Russia relations. During the meeting, the leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding strategic partnership.
The discussions also reflected the resilience of India-Russia relations amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. Both countries agreed to remain engaged in further strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Invitation for 24th India-Russia Annual Summit
During the meeting, President Vladimir Putin invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation, with the dates expected to be finalized through diplomatic channels based on mutual convenience.
BRICS and a Changing Global Order
The Modi-Putin discussions also took place against the broader backdrop of the 18th BRICS Summit, where India sought to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies and advance discussions on global governance, trade, technology, energy and the Global South.
Russia has called for BRICS to play a greater role in building new mechanisms for economic cooperation, including technology, infrastructure, investment and payment systems. The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin therefore carried significance not only for bilateral relations but also for wider discussions on multipolarity, economic cooperation and global stability.
As India and Russia continue to navigate a complex international environment, the latest high-level engagement underscores the enduring importance of their strategic partnership and their shared interest in expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.