Before the BRICS Summit, PM Modi and President Putin held important talks on energy, defense and trade in New Delhi. Both countries agreed to strengthen strategic partnership.
In New Delhi, both the leaders stressed on strengthening strategic partnership; Target to increase India-Russia trade to $100 billion by 2030.
New Delhi. A day before the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an important bilateral meeting in New Delhi. The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on issues related to energy, defence, trade, global conflicts and maritime trade.
The meeting comes at a time when there is increased pressure on global energy and shipping routes due to conflict in West Asia. Oil trade between India and Russia has grown significantly over the years, and Russia remains one of India's major crude suppliers in 2026. Both countries agreed to further expand economic partnership.
Modi stressed on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve global conflicts and said India is ready to play a positive role in peace efforts. The target of increasing bilateral trade between India and Russia from about $70 billion to $100 billion by 2030 was also reiterated.
This meeting before the BRICS Summit is also important because India is simultaneously hosting the leaders of major countries like Russia, China and Iran. Issues like energy security, payment systems, supply chains and reforms in global financial institutions will be at the center of discussion in the coming two days.