By: The Obnews Editorial Team
September 11, 2026
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks in New Delhi on September 11, reinforcing a relationship built around defence, energy and trade as India prepared to host the BRICS summit. The meeting highlighted New Delhi’s continuing engagement with Moscow while it balances important relationships with Western countries. Associated Press
The leaders were meeting for the second time in less than two weeks. Their August 31 discussion in Bishkek, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, had reviewed cooperation across defence, energy, space and economic affairs. India’s official account of that earlier meeting also confirmed that the BRICS leaders’ summit would take place on September 12 and 13, placing the latest encounter within a sustained round of diplomacy. Prime Minister’s Office
Oil remains central to the relationship. Reuters reported that Russia’s share of Indian crude imports reached a peak of 51 per cent in 2026 as disruptions in the Middle East affected supplies. Bilateral trade stood at nearly US$70 billion in the 2024 to 2025 financial year, with the countries targeting US$100 billion by 2030. These figures underline the commercial weight behind the diplomatic relationship. Reuters
Defence and nuclear energy were also in focus. The Financial Times reported that the discussions included possible sales of Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter and the construction of additional nuclear power plants in India. The countries also have an established partnership producing the BrahMos missile, illustrating the industrial dimension of their defence relationship. Financial Times
The US$100 billion trade ambition predates this week’s meeting. At their December 2025 summit, Modi and Putin had already pledged to expand cooperation in critical minerals, civil nuclear energy and advanced manufacturing. Their stated objective was to broaden a trading relationship heavily concentrated in Russian energy exports. The latest talks therefore build on an existing agenda, with implementation remaining essential to turning political commitments into wider commercial opportunities. Financial Times
Defence cooperation also extends beyond the purchase of finished weapons. The countries’ July 2024 joint statement outlined a shift towards shared research, development and production, alongside manufacturing spare parts and components in India for Russian equipment. For India, that approach offers a route to supporting existing military systems while developing domestic industrial capacity.
Civil nuclear cooperation has a similarly established foundation. The same statement identified the remaining units at Kudankulam, discussions about another nuclear power plant site in India, and the localisation of equipment as areas of work. Fertiliser cooperation included support for sustained supplies through contracts between companies. These earlier commitments show how the partnership reaches into electricity generation, manufacturing and agriculture. The latest engagement returns attention to how these existing commitments will be implemented. India and Russia’s July 2024 joint statement
The war in Ukraine remained part of the diplomatic backdrop. Modi reiterated that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and that India was willing to assist peace efforts. At the BRICS Business Forum, Putin presented Russia as open to cooperation with international partners and emphasised projects involving infrastructure, logistics, finance and technology. The statements placed economic cooperation alongside continuing disagreement over the international response to Russia’s war. The Indian Express
China’s participation adds another significant dimension to India’s hosting role. Beijing said on September 11 that arrangements were being made for a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Modi during Xi’s visit for the summit. China’s foreign ministry called for stronger communication and cooperation while managing differences, underscoring that engagement within BRICS does not remove the challenges in relations between its members. Reuters
The summit’s economic agenda reaches beyond bilateral trade. BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors called for reform of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to better reflect the role of emerging economies. They also supported further work on more efficient and secure international payments, against a backdrop of tariffs, geopolitical tensions and pressure on global commerce. Reuters
Work on those payment arrangements remains at the discussion stage. The finance ministers’ statement backed continued negotiations on connecting systems and using national currencies for settlements. The proposals aim to make transactions between member countries easier, while the practical scope of any shared arrangements will depend on further technical and political agreement. Bussiness
For India, the practical test will be whether this diplomacy produces more dependable supplies, stronger manufacturing capabilities and broader export opportunities. For businesses, the details that follow will matter: which projects receive financing, which agreements become operational and whether trade expands beyond energy. The September meetings provide a platform for those decisions, while the results will depend on the work that continues after the leaders leave New Delhi.