Modi, Putin hold talks in New Delhi on trade, defence
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi focusing on trade expansion, defence cooperation, and regional stability.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in New Delhi on Friday for wide-ranging bilateral discussions covering economic ties, military cooperation, and regional stability. President Putin arrived in the capital on a three-day visit to participate in the high-stakes BRICS summit, marking a continuation of high-level engagements following their meeting on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek.
Bilateral Talks and Diplomatic Engagement
The discussions lasted over forty-five minutes. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the leaders reviewed progress across political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility, and people-to-people domains under the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Following their formal meetings, the two leaders travelled together inside the Bharat Mandapam complex to visit the INNOPROM exhibition. As part of people-to-people exchanges, PM Modi presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil philosophical text, the Thirukkural, authored by Thiruvalluvar.
Regional Conflicts and Seafarer Security
Geopolitical tensions and active conflicts dominated a significant portion of the diplomatic exchange. PM Modi raised concerns regarding conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, emphasizing the adverse impact these conflicts exert on maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
"The prime minister once again reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stood ready to assist in peace efforts,"
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
India makes up a major part of the global merchant shipping workforce, with more than 320,000 seafarers. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin briefed Modi on the current situation concerning the Ukraine conflict. PM Modi previously urged the Russian leadership during their Bishkek meeting to move from an endless war toward the end of war.
Trade Expansion and Economic Targets
Economic cooperation and the widening trade imbalance formed a central pillar of the agenda. The two nations formally resolved to scale up annual bilateral trade volume to $100 billion by 2030 from current $65 billion. Indian delegates pressed for enhanced market access for domestic exporters within the Russian market to counter the existing trade deficit favoring Moscow.
| Economic Metric | Figure / Target | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Bilateral Trade Target | $100 billion | Targeted for achievement by 2030 |
| Current Annual Trade | $65 billion | Current baseline volume reported in bilateral reviews |
| 2025–26 Goods Trade | $59.9 billion | Total recorded goods trade (Exports: $4.49B, Imports: $55.37B) |
| BRICS Export Share | $6 trillion (24%) | Global export share noted by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal |
Parallel to the bilateral talks, the BRICS Business Forum and meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors addressed cross-border payment mechanisms, local currency settlements, and the mitigation of non-tariff barriers across member economies. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that overall BRICS exports expanded significantly.
Defence and Energy Collaboration
Defence ties remain a core pillar of the bilateral relationship, with Moscow continuing to serve as a principal military supplier to New Delhi. Discussions encompassed ongoing military projects, prospective upgrades, and advanced hardware procurement.
According to statements from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, bilateral military talks addressed potential BrahMos missile upgrades, the fulfillment of remaining S-400 system deliveries, and discussions regarding the prospective supply of Su-57 fighter jets. In the energy and industrial sectors, the leaders reviewed civil nuclear cooperation, fertilizer supplies, and collaboration in rail, tunnelling, and steel value chains.
Next Steps and Future Summits
As the diplomatic engagement concluded, President Putin formally invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. PM Modi accepted the invitation, with exact dates for the summit to be decided as per mutual convenience through diplomatic channels.
