New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday for a three-day visit to India during which he will attend the 18th BRICS Summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Putin is accompanied by a high-level Russian delegation. His visit comes as India hosts the BRICS leaders’ summit on September 12 and 13 under its 2026 chairship.
The Russian president is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi on Friday for wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership. Defence, energy, trade, investment, technology, pharmaceuticals and people-to-people ties are expected to feature prominently in the talks.
Putin is also scheduled to address the BRICS Business Forum and visit the INNOPROM industrial exhibition along with Modi.
The visit comes against the backdrop of continuing geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The disruption of energy supplies and maritime trade, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, is also expected to influence discussions among BRICS leaders.
Putin’s visit is particularly significant for India-Russia relations, with both countries seeking to expand economic and strategic cooperation amid changing global alliances.
The two leaders had most recently met in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit on August 31. During that meeting, they reviewed cooperation in defence, energy, space, trade and other sectors and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the countries’ “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
This is Putin’s first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.
The 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi is expected to focus on issues including food and energy security, health, disaster resilience and critical supply chains, as the expanded grouping seeks to increase cooperation amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
