Putin Meets Modi in New Delhi Ahead of BRICS Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, ahead of a weekend summit of the BRICS nations.

The two leaders greeted each other with a handshake and a hug, and Modi presented Putin with a book before the two sat down for discussions. Officials from both sides were also present.

The meeting comes as India seeks to reinforce its long-standing ties with Moscow while simultaneously expanding its strategic and economic partnerships with the United States and Europe. That dual approach has become more delicate as the war in Ukraine approaches its fifth year.

India has for decades maintained close defence and economic relations with Russia and has not joined Western efforts to isolate Moscow over the conflict. New Delhi has instead advocated dialogue and diplomacy to bring the war to an end, while keeping channels open with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russia remains a major supplier of military equipment to India, though New Delhi has moved to diversify its defence purchases. Energy has emerged as another central pillar of the relationship, with India sharply increasing imports of discounted Russian oil since the invasion — a shift that has helped soften the impact of the energy crisis triggered by the Iran war.

India's continued engagement with Moscow has drawn criticism from Ukraine and some Western nations, even as New Delhi deepens its strategic and economic cooperation with the US and Europe.

Putin last visited India in December 2025. He also met Modi in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, this month.