Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, with bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for later in the day.
Putin’s visit comes as India hosts the high-level BRICS gathering under its 2026 chairship and follows the two leaders’ recent meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Putin to India, highlighting the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
Putin was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Jaiswal described India-Russia relations as a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”, reflecting the broad and longstanding nature of bilateral ties.
The upcoming meeting between PM Modi and President Putin is expected to cover bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking ahead of Putin’s visit, said the two leaders would discuss the relationship between India and Russia along with ongoing international issues.
He also indicated that Putin would brief Modi on the latest developments concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Putin-Modi meeting comes shortly after their interaction at the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
During that meeting, PM Modi called for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and said the world needs to move from an “endless war” to the “end of war.”
Modi emphasised that bringing the conflict to an end as soon as possible was a broader aspiration of humanity.
The issue is therefore expected to remain relevant during the leaders’ discussions in New Delhi.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12–13 as BRICS Chair for 2026.
The summit will bring together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries, along with Outreach Invitees.
According to the MEA, participating leaders will exchange views on strengthening cooperation within BRICS around common priorities and discuss global and regional issues of mutual importance.
Putin’s arrival adds another important dimension to India’s BRICS chairship and its ongoing engagement with Russia.
The bilateral meeting with PM Modi provides an opportunity for both leaders to discuss the broader India-Russia partnership alongside developments affecting the international environment.
The discussions are expected to contribute to the wider conversations taking place during the BRICS Summit.
India and Russia maintain longstanding ties spanning multiple areas of cooperation.
The relationship has been described by both sides as a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, with regular high-level engagement between the two countries.
Putin’s visit and his scheduled meeting with Modi underscore the continued importance of this relationship as India engages with partners through the BRICS platform.
