BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi, Putin bilateral meeting begins
What's the story
The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun. They are expected to discuss expanding bilateral trade, investment, and energy cooperation. Both nations are aiming for ambitious goals of $100 billion in bilateral trade and $50 billion in two-way investment by 2030. Putin arrived in India early Friday morning for the BRICS Summit. This is Putin's first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the Ukraine war started in February 2022.
Twitter Post
Modi welcomes Putin with hug
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2026
(Video Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/KhlCIatMI2
Recent engagement
Putin's India visit comes after meeting in Bishkek
Putin's visit to India comes after his recent meeting with PM Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
During that meeting, PM Modi had urged Putin to "move from an 'endless war toward the end of war'" referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The bilateral talks at the BRICS summit are likely to review progress in their partnership and discuss strategic issues.
Economic backdrop
BRICS summit in the backdrop of global economic pressures
Putin's visit comes amid rising global economic pressures, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other geopolitical tensions.
The BRICS summit in New Delhi will see leaders from member and partner countries discussing intra-BRICS cooperation on common priorities.
Notable attendees include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, among others.