New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in the Indian capital on Thursday, marking the beginning of his participation in the BRICS summit hosted by India. His arrival has been closely watched, not only because of the multilateral significance of the gathering but also because of the high-profile bilateral meeting scheduled between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
The Russian president's visit comes just days after he met with PM Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. That encounter was viewed as an opportunity for the two leaders to align on regional security concerns and economic cooperation before the larger BRICS gathering. Their interaction in Bishkek, though brief, set the stage for more substantive discussions now expected in Delhi.
India and Russia share one of the oldest and most enduring strategic partnerships in the world, built over decades of cooperation in defence, energy, and civil nuclear energy. Under the current global landscape shaped by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the bilateral relationship has drawn heightened international scrutiny. India has consistently maintained that it will continue its defence and energy ties with Russia while also working to maintain balanced relations with Western countries.
Analysts expect the bilateral discussions between Modi and Putin to cover a range of topics, including trade and investment, defence procurement, energy security, and the evolving geopolitical situation in Ukraine. India has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict through dialogue, and sources suggest that this position will be reaffirmed during the meetings.
The BRICS summit itself brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several newly admitted member nations. India, as the host, is expected to use the platform to advocate for reforms in global governance institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund, arguing that these bodies do not adequately represent the interests of developing nations.
As part of the official programme, PM Modi is also expected to accompany President Putin to the Innoprom exhibition, a technology and industrial fair organised jointly by the governments of India and Russia. The exhibition showcases innovations in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, space technology, and other sectors where bilateral collaboration has been active.
The visit underscores India's growing role as a convening power in multilateral forums and its continued ability to maintain independent diplomatic channels even amid complex global alliances.
