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New Delhi is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, 2026, bringing together leaders of major emerging economies at a time of heightened global tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Friday ahead of the main summit, with defence cooperation, energy, trade and the Russia-Ukraine war expected to remain central to discussions.
Putin arrived in India on September 11 for a three-day visit, marking his first in-person attendance at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the beginning of the full-scale Ukraine war in 2022. His visit has attracted significant international attention because India continues to maintain close strategic ties with Moscow while also strengthening its relationships with the United States and European countries.
PM Modi and Putin Hold Key Bilateral Talks
The Modi-Putin meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi took place before the official BRICS leaders’ summit. The discussions are expected to cover the full range of India-Russia relations, including defence, trade, investment, energy, nuclear cooperation, space technology and regional security.
The two leaders had already met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on August 31. During that meeting, Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only effective way to resolve conflicts. The Prime Minister also said that every day spent in war pushes humanity backward, reflecting India’s continued emphasis on a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
S-400 Delivery and BrahMos Missiles in Focus
Defence cooperation is expected to be one of the most important subjects during the bilateral talks. India is reportedly seeking clarity on the delivery of the remaining S-400 air defence system unit, whose schedule has faced delays because of the ongoing geopolitical situation and production pressures in Russia.
The two sides are also expected to discuss the next phase of BrahMos missile development. Russia has proposed deeper cooperation in upgrading, jointly producing and potentially exporting advanced BrahMos systems. The discussions could signal a shift from India’s traditional buyer-seller relationship with Russia towards greater joint development and domestic manufacturing.
The next-generation BrahMos-NG missile, along with future defence technology cooperation, is expected to receive particular attention as India seeks to strengthen its indigenous defence capabilities.
Russia Offers Broader Defence Partnership
Russia has also reportedly shown interest in expanding industrial cooperation with India through joint production of advanced military platforms. Discussions may include the possibility of cooperation on Su-57 fighter aircraft and upgrades for India’s existing Su-30MKI fleet.
While no major defence agreement should be considered final until officially announced, the proposals indicate Moscow’s efforts to preserve its position as one of India’s most important defence partners. India, meanwhile, is increasingly focused on technology transfer, local manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported defence equipment.
The partnership has already produced major projects such as BrahMos Aerospace, while Russia remains an important supplier of military equipment, spare parts and maintenance support to the Indian armed forces.
Ukraine War Adds Diplomatic Significance
The Russia-Ukraine war is expected to feature prominently in conversations between Modi and Putin as well as in the broader BRICS discussions. India has consistently avoided directly condemning Russia while repeatedly calling for dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law.
New Delhi’s position allows it to maintain communication with Moscow while also engaging with Ukraine and Western countries. India’s diplomatic approach has become particularly important as the conflict continues to affect global energy prices, food supplies, shipping routes and international security.
The BRICS grouping itself faces difficulties in developing a unified position on major conflicts. Russia and China maintain close strategic ties, while India has relationships with Russia, the United States, Europe, Iran and other countries. These differences could make it difficult for the summit to produce strong collective statements on the Ukraine war or other international crises.
Trade and Energy Cooperation
Economic cooperation is another major priority for India and Russia. Bilateral trade has increased substantially in recent years, driven largely by energy imports. Russia remains an important supplier of crude oil, fertilisers and other commodities to India.
The two countries are also exploring ways to increase investment and improve payment mechanisms to reduce the impact of Western sanctions and financial restrictions. Discussions on expanding trade in national currencies and improving logistics could receive attention during the summit.
India and Russia have set ambitious long-term goals for increasing bilateral trade and investment. However, challenges remain, including payment difficulties, shipping disruptions and the need to diversify trade beyond oil and defence.
BRICS Expansion Creates New Challenges
The 2026 BRICS Summit is taking place after the grouping’s major expansion. The bloc now includes 11 full members, representing nearly half of the world’s population and a significant share of global economic output and energy resources.
The expansion has increased BRICS’ international influence but has also made consensus more difficult. Members have different political priorities, economic systems and regional rivalries. The ongoing conflict involving Iran, tensions in West Asia and the continuing Russia-Ukraine war are likely to test the organisation’s ability to present a united position.
India is expected to use its presidency to focus on practical cooperation in areas such as technology, supply chains, entrepreneurship, sustainable development and financial connectivity.
Xi Jinping’s Visit Adds Strategic Importance
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to attend the summit, making the event particularly significant for India-China relations. His visit comes at a time when both countries are attempting to stabilise bilateral ties after years of border tensions.
A meeting between Modi and Xi could include discussions on border management, trade imbalances, regional security and improving communication between the two countries. Alongside the Modi-Putin meeting, the interaction with Xi will be closely watched for its potential impact on India’s wider strategic position.
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What to Expect from the BRICS Summit
The main summit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation among emerging economies while addressing global conflicts and economic uncertainty. India will attempt to balance its relations with Russia and China while maintaining its independent foreign policy and growing engagement with Western powers.
For New Delhi, the Modi-Putin bilateral meeting is important not only because of defence and energy interests but also because India remains one of the few major countries capable of maintaining direct communication with Moscow and other global power centres.
The outcome of the BRICS Summit could influence discussions on global trade, financial systems, defence cooperation and diplomatic efforts to address international conflicts. For India, the summit represents an opportunity to demonstrate strategic autonomy and strengthen its role as a leading voice of the Global South.
