Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. PM Modi has accepted the invitation. The two leaders met on the sidelines
of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Friday. Follow LIVE Updates Here
The dates for the annual summit will be decided through diplomatic channels based on mutual convenience.
The meeting was the second between Modi and Putin this year. The two leaders had earlier met on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31, 2026.
Modi and Putin held wide-ranging discussions on India-Russia ties, including efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and investment, defence cooperation and energy, critical minerals, fertiliser supplies, skill mobility and industrial cooperation.
The two leaders discussed strategies to take annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. The current annual trade volume stands at around USD 65 billion. Ways to boost trade and investment ties also dominated the talks, with the Indian side pitching for greater market access for Indian exporters in Russia to address the trade deficit in Moscow’s favour.
The discussions also covered cooperation in defence, energy and fertiliser security. The two sides reviewed the overall energy scenario and agreed to further ramp up cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
India and Russia also discussed expanding their defence cooperation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had earlier said both sides were exploring BrahMos missile upgrades. Moscow also remains committed to fulfilling its remaining S-400 system deliveries and discussing the proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets.
Industrial cooperation also figured in the talks. The two sides discussed collaboration in the rail and tunnelling sectors, developing the steel value chain and broadening access to the Russian market for Indian exporters. They also discussed the mobility of skilled Indian labourers to Russia and cooperation in critical minerals.
The two leaders also reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people domains.
Modi and Putin exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in the multilateral sphere, particularly BRICS under India’s chairship in 2026. They also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region.
The conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.
Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward in resolving conflicts and said India stood ready to assist in peace efforts.
The two sides also discussed the overall situation regarding the Ukraine war and ongoing peace initiatives. Modi reiterated India’s position on resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
During Friday’s meeting, the leaders also welcomed Russia’s International Industrial Exhibition, INNOPROM India, which was held for the first time in India from September 9 to 11, 2026. They underscored its importance in further expanding trade and industrial ties.
Modi and Putin visited the INNOPROM India exhibition and interacted with participants. Following their talks, the two leaders also travelled in the same car inside the Bharat Mandapam complex to reach the venue of a business forum.
The two leaders agreed to remain engaged in efforts to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. The Indian statement said the partnership continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties.
