Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for Friday, September 11. The visit comes as India hosts the expanded grouping under its 2026 presidency and seeks to strengthen its role in the emerging Global South order.
The Modi-Putin meeting is expected to focus heavily on defence, trade and economic cooperation. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russia’s offer to supply India with advanced Su-57 fighter aircraft will be among the issues discussed. Energy cooperation is also expected to remain important, particularly as India continues to navigate Western pressure over its purchases of Russian crude.
The timing gives the meeting wider geopolitical significance. India has maintained its strategic relationship with Moscow while simultaneously expanding its engagement with the United States, Europe and other major powers. New Delhi’s approach has been to preserve strategic autonomy rather than align completely with any one bloc.
The economic relationship is also evolving. Russia says rupee-rouble payment mechanisms now facilitate the vast majority of bilateral trade, helping both countries reduce exposure to financial restrictions.
The Ukraine conflict and the wider instability in West Asia are likely to feature in the discussions as well. India has consistently argued for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts, a position reiterated during Modi’s recent meeting with Putin.
Putin’s visit is therefore more than a routine bilateral engagement. With BRICS expanding and global alliances becoming increasingly fluid, New Delhi will be looking to demonstrate that its partnerships with Russia and the West can coexist while India continues to pursue an independent foreign-policy course.
