PM Narendra Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on Friday, September 11, 2026. The two leaders held bilateral talks a day before India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit. Putin landed in the capital early Friday for a three day visit, his first in person participation in a BRICS summit outside Russia since the conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022.
The visit matters because it brings together two of India’s most closely watched relationships at once. Defence deals, energy trade and the Ukraine war sit on the table, even as New Delhi manages pressure from Washington over its oil purchases from Moscow.
Why is PM Narendra Modi meeting Putin in New Delhi?
Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday morning. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh received him at the airport. The Kremlin had confirmed the bilateral meeting days earlier.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters this week that Narendra Modi and Putin would first take up the bilateral agenda before summit sessions begin. He described the India Russia relationship as “very pragmatic,” according to Peskov’s remarks reported by Millennium Post. Peskov added that the two leaders can discuss sensitive matters “in an open and constructive manner.”
This is not a first meeting. Pm Modi and Putin last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on August 31, 2026. That meeting covered defence, energy, trade, space and mobility cooperation, and both sides agreed to keep strengthening what they call their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
What is on the agenda for PM Narendra Modi and Putin?
Several issues are expected to dominate the talks. According to Peskov, the discussion will cover:
- Defence and military technology cooperation
- Energy trade, including crude oil purchases
- Technology sharing and industrial cooperation
- Trade and economic ties
- The ongoing Ukraine conflict
Defence cooperation is drawing the most attention. Russia has proposed selling Su-57 fifth generation fighter jets to India and has signalled openness to sharing related technology. Other items reportedly under discussion include the S-400 missile defence system and the BrahMos missile programme. No final agreement on either the Su-57 deal or an upgraded BrahMos package has been officially announced so far.
On Ukraine, Peskov said Russia welcomed India’s willingness to contribute to a peaceful settlement. He said Moscow’s position broadly matches India’s approach of resolving the conflict through dialogue. He also welcomed the mediation efforts led by United States President Donald Trump.
How is the 18th BRICS Summit different this year?
India holds the BRICS chairship for 2026. This is the first time New Delhi is hosting the summit since the bloc expanded. The theme for India’s chairship is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The summit opens on September 12 and runs through September 13 at Bharat Mandapam. Putin will also address the plenary session of the BRICS Business Forum and visit the INNOPROM exhibition during his stay. He is scheduled to hold separate meetings with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff.
The agenda covers trade, agriculture, healthcare, energy, digital technology, startups, climate action, urban development and cultural exchange, according to India’s BRICS chairship documents.
When did PM Narendra Modi and President Putin last meet In India?
This is not Putin’s first visit to India under Narendra Modi’s government. A brief timeline helps put the current visit in context.
- July 2024: PM Modi travelled to Moscow for the Annual Summit, reinforcing the bilateral partnership.
- October 2024: PM Modi attended the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, and held bilateral talks with Putin.
- December 2025: Putin travelled to New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- August 31, 2026: PM Modi and Putin met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.
- September 11, 2026: Putin arrived in New Delhi for bilateral talks ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
Where does this visit fit amid US-India trade tensions?
Narendra Modi’s government has faced sustained pressure from Washington over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The United States had earlier imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods before both sides worked out a lower rate.
The tariff rate on Indian exports to the United States moved from a high of 50 percent to an 18 percent arrangement within a span of months this year. This backdrop shapes how closely observers are watching the Modi Putin talks, since energy and trade decisions taken in New Delhi carry weight in Washington too.
What else is expected to be discussed during BRICS Summit?
Once the Modi-Putin bilateral concludes, attention shifts to the main summit sessions starting September 12. Leaders from Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to join deliberations on trade, energy security, food security, disaster resilience and critical supply chains.
The summit takes place against a difficult global backdrop, including tensions in West Asia and disruptions to global energy and trade flows. India, as chair, has positioned BRICS as a platform for developing nations to coordinate on shared economic and strategic concerns.
Official outcomes, including any joint statement or list of agreements signed during the Modi Putin meeting, are expected to be confirmed by India's Ministry of External Affairs once the talks conclude. This report will be updated as verified details become available.