Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) with Indian PM Narendra Modi. (New Delhi – September 11, 2026).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, with the two leaders reviewing a wide range of issues spanning trade, defence, energy, space and people-to-people ties.
The meeting was the second interaction between Modi and Putin this year. The leaders had previously met in Bishkek on 31 August on the sidelines of the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit.
Their latest meeting comes as India hosts the BRICS Summit under its 2026 chairship and as both countries navigate a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. Discussions covered the progress of bilateral cooperation as well as developments in key regional and global conflicts.
The meeting also highlighted efforts to expand economic and industrial cooperation, with both leaders welcoming the first edition of Russia’s International Industrial Exhibition, INNOPROM India, held in India from 9 to 11 September.
Wide-ranging review of bilateral ties
Modi and Putin reviewed the state of the India-Russia relationship across several important sectors.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the discussions covered political relations, economic cooperation, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people ties.
The breadth of the agenda underlines the depth of the relationship between the two countries, which extends well beyond traditional political and defence cooperation.
Economic ties have become an increasingly important part of the partnership, while energy remains a significant area of engagement. Cooperation in space and skills also points towards efforts to diversify the relationship and create new areas for collaboration.
The leaders agreed to maintain their engagement to further strengthen what India and Russia describe as their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
The partnership, according to the Indian government, has continued to grow despite considerable geopolitical uncertainty in recent years.
INNOPROM India brings industry into focus
A major economic element of the meeting was the discussion around INNOPROM India.
Russia’s International Industrial Exhibition was held in India for the first time from 9 to 11 September 2026. The exhibition provided an opportunity for Russian and Indian businesses and industrial participants to explore opportunities for greater cooperation.
Modi and Putin visited the exhibition together and interacted with participants.
The two leaders welcomed the event and underlined its potential role in expanding trade and industrial ties between India and Russia.
For India, efforts to increase industrial cooperation with Russia could provide another avenue for strengthening bilateral economic relations. For Russia, deeper engagement with India offers access to one of the world’s major and fastest-changing economies.
The focus on industrial cooperation also reflects the broader effort by both countries to ensure that their partnership remains resilient amid changes in the global economic and geopolitical landscape.
BRICS leaders at BRICS Business Forum.
West Asia and Black Sea conflicts discussed
The meeting was not limited to bilateral relations.
Modi and Putin exchanged views on major regional and global developments, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
The Indian government said the discussions took into account the impact of these conflicts on maritime trade as well as the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
The issue is particularly significant for India because disruptions to major maritime routes can affect trade, energy supplies and the movement of commercial vessels.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward for resolving conflicts.
He also said India was ready to assist in peace efforts, signalling New Delhi’s continued preference for diplomatic engagement and negotiated solutions to international conflicts.
BRICS cooperation under India’s 2026 chairship
The two leaders also discussed India-Russia engagement in multilateral forums, with particular attention to BRICS.
India is chairing BRICS in 2026, giving New Delhi an important role in shaping the group’s agenda and priorities.
For India and Russia, BRICS provides a platform for discussions on economic cooperation, international governance and a range of political and strategic issues.
The Modi-Putin meeting therefore had significance beyond the bilateral relationship. Their discussion came at a time when BRICS is playing an increasingly visible role in conversations about the global economic and political order.
The leaders exchanged perspectives on how the two countries could continue working together within the multilateral framework.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) with Indian PM Narendra Modi. (New Delhi – September 11, 2026).
Modi accepts invitation to Russia
The meeting also produced an important development for the future of India-Russia relations.
Putin invited Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit.
Modi accepted the invitation, with the dates to be finalised through diplomatic channels based on the convenience of both sides.
The annual summit is an important mechanism for high-level engagement between India and Russia. It provides the two governments with an opportunity to review progress across their relationship and set priorities for future cooperation.
The planned visit will therefore offer another opportunity for Modi and Putin to assess the direction of bilateral ties and discuss issues requiring political attention.
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Partnership tested by geopolitical uncertainty
The latest meeting comes against a backdrop of significant geopolitical changes.
India and Russia have maintained close relations while the international environment around them has become increasingly complex. The two countries have continued to engage across defence, energy, trade and other areas even as conflicts and strategic rivalries have affected international relations.
The Indian government described the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership as resilient in the face of geopolitical uncertainties.
The Modi-Putin meeting reinforced that message. Rather than focusing on a single area, the discussions covered a broad range of bilateral and international issues, suggesting that both sides continue to view their relationship as strategically important.
The next major milestone will be the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit in Russia. With the invitation accepted and dates yet to be fixed, the upcoming summit is expected to provide another high-level platform for reviewing the partnership and charting its next phase.
For now, the New Delhi meeting has reaffirmed the continued importance of India-Russia ties, while placing trade, industrial cooperation, diplomacy and regional stability alongside the traditional pillars of the relationship.
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