NEW DELHI — On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi for a second high‑level meeting in two weeks. The talks, scheduled just before the BRICS leaders’ summit in the capital, are expected to concentrate on deepening trade, energy and defence cooperation between the two long‑standing partners.
Key areas on the agenda
According to an Indian source, the leaders will discuss a broad portfolio of joint projects, including civil nuclear energy, fertiliser production, critical minerals, manufacturing, railways and steel. Defence collaboration is also a priority, with both sides looking to expand joint exercises and technology sharing.
Context of the meeting
The meeting follows a brief encounter on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Aug. 31, where Modi urged Putin that the war in Ukraine must end for humanity’s sake and pledged Indian support for any diplomatic effort to stop the fighting.
Energy ties remain strong
India is one of the largest buyers of Russian oil, alongside China. In July 2026, Russian crude accounted for a record 51 % of India’s imports, a share that helped Moscow replenish its budget after Western sanctions. While the share likely eased in August as China increased its purchases, the reliance on Russian oil underscores the strategic importance of the energy relationship.
Balancing geopolitics and national needs
New Delhi has repeatedly emphasized that its large population and growing economy require secure, affordable and reliable energy supplies. The government maintains that the Ukraine conflict can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, not by cutting off trade in energy, metal or fertiliser with Russia.
Looking ahead
Putin’s visit to India in December 2025 for the annual India‑Russia summit set the stage for the current talks, during which both sides agreed to expand trade and defence cooperation. With the BRICS summit imminent, the outcomes of this meeting could shape the broader multilateral dialogue among the group’s members, including China’s President Xi Jinping and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Observers note that the deepening India‑Russia partnership reflects both nations’ desire to diversify their strategic options amid shifting global alliances. While the United States and its allies continue to impose sanctions on Moscow, India’s pragmatic approach focuses on meeting its own energy and development needs while advocating for a negotiated end to the Ukraine war.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
