Bilateral ties, trade, economic cooperation and defence are expected to feature on the agenda during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting on Friday (September 11), on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters, virtually from Moscow, on Tuesday (September 8) Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting. He said the two leaders will first discuss issues linked to the bilateral agenda.
“We’re looking forward to the President and Prime Minister having another bilateral meeting during the visit. It is scheduled. It is scheduled for Friday, so, as always, they will first touch on the bilateral agenda,” said Peskov, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Trade, defence on agenda
Putin will arrive in India ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13. Elaborating further, Peskov said Russia expects talks with India on new nuclear power plants, while the sale of Su-57 fighter aircraft to India is also on the agenda.
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The financial sector is another area Moscow is keen on discussing. According to Peskov, Russia now conducts 90 per cent of its payments and transactions with BRICS countries in national currencies.
Economic cooperation in focus
“The cooperation space within the BRICS financial sphere is of great importance. Russia recently reached a level of 90 per cent of all payments and transactions with BRICS countries being made in national currencies; it’s very important. It’s not because we are aiming for de-dollarisation, for getting rid of U.S. dollars,” said Peskov.
“To the contrary, we are open to every acceptable methods of payments, but you know that certain countries are using some national currencies as a tool for political oppression. They are introducing sanctions based on their national currencies. So, if they don’t let us use their money, we use our own money,” he added, as quoted by YEARS.
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Peskov also welcomed India’s hosting of the summit and said Russia would support further BRICS cooperation across its main areas of work.
“We have no doubt that the summit will be successful. Russia, we are doing our best to contribute to further development of BRICS cooperation in the three main pillars of our interaction. So, those are policy and security, economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian contexts. So, we are supporting the idea of inviting new countries to join different formats within BRICS,” he added.
Ukraine war on agenda
“Our Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with numerous leaders during the BRICS summit. Detailed information regarding the specific leaders and the timing of these meetings will be provided to you. As for the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine—this is one of the many issues that will come up during the bilateral discussions,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaoswal later in the day.
BRICS agenda under India’s chairship
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit under its 2026 chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The grouping’s agenda includes trade, agriculture, healthcare, energy, digital technology, startups, climate action and cultural exchanges.
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The meeting PM Modi and President Putin will also come against the backdrop of their recent discussions on peace and the Ukraine conflict. At their latest meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, PM Modi said, “Every day spent perpetuating war pushes humanity backwards, and every step taken towards peace fills the whole of humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move from endless war towards the end of war, which is very necessary for the well-being of humanity,”