BRICS Begins in Delhi: Modi-Putin Talks Put Trade and Energy in Focus

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday, putting India-Russia ties at the centre of a packed diplomatic opening to India’s BRICS programme. Ahead of the leaders’ summit this weekend, Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, address the BRICS Business Forum and join the Indian leader at an industrial exhibition.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh received Putin at the airport. Welcoming the Russian President, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the depth of a relationship expected to bring trade, energy and financial cooperation into focus during Friday’s talks.

“India and Russia share multifaceted and longstanding ties anchored in Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X.

Friday’s engagements precede the main summit on September 12 and 13, when BRICS leaders will meet under India’s chairship to discuss the grouping’s priorities and the future of its strategic partnership.

Modi-Putin talks to put trade and energy in focus

Putin’s bilateral meeting with Modi is expected to cover trade resilience, cross-border payment mechanisms and energy security, alongside diplomatic efforts concerning ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and West Asia.

According to the Kremlin, the two leaders will also visit the INNOPROM exhibition, organised by the industry and trade ministries of India and Russia. The visit places industrial and commercial cooperation prominently on the day’s agenda.

Putin will address the plenary session of the annual BRICS Business Forum on Friday. Held ahead of the leaders’ summit, the forum brings together business representatives from member countries to discuss economic cooperation. The Kremlin described Putin’s trip as a working visit as the grouping marks its 20th anniversary.

A packed diplomatic calendar

Modi is Putin’s first major bilateral engagement during the visit, with several other meetings scheduled around the summit.

According to TASS, Putin is also due to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and New Development Bank head Dilma Rousseff on Friday. Moscow is exploring a possible meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi the same day.

A meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is scheduled for September 12. India’s chairship has prioritised cooperation across trade, digital technology, finance and energy security, along with reforms of global governance institutions.

The summit is expected to examine ways to strengthen supply chains, integrate cross-border payments and expand the use of national currencies. Support for micro, small and medium enterprises, digital trade and artificial intelligence is also expected to feature in the discussions.

Energy security, climate resilience and development finance form another substantial part of the anticipated agenda, alongside expansion of the New Development Bank and reforms of multilateral financial and political institutions.

Friday’s business forum and bilateral meetings open that conversation, before the leaders move into the main summit programme on Saturday.

With inputs from ANI