New Delhi: As India gears up to host the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi to engage in a crucial bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11. This marks Putin’s second visit to India within a span of nine months, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov officially confirmed the high-level meeting, describing India as Russia’s top strategic partner. The focal point of the upcoming bilateral talks is expected to be a major defence proposition. Peskov confirmed that Russia will officially propose the sale of its advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, the Su-57, to India. The Su-57 is equipped with cutting-edge stealth technology, making it highly evasive to enemy radar and air defence systems, and is capable of executing precision strikes on both aerial and ground targets.
Apart from the major defence pitch, strengthening economic ties remains a priority. The leaders will focus on enhancing the Rupee-Ruble trade mechanism, as a significant portion of bilateral commercial transactions is now being conducted in national currencies. Discussions will also center around creating new opportunities for Indian companies in the Russian market, increasing direct supply of Russian goods to India, and bolstering transport corridors and logistics networks for seamless freight movement.
Geopolitical stability will also be a major talking point. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin are expected to share their perspectives on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and its global ramifications. Furthermore, the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, which pose a significant threat to global energy security and the broader economy, will be deliberated upon.
Highlighting the importance of the relationship, Peskov stated, “We consider India the largest country in the world by population and the world’s largest democracy. We view India as a very important player in the global majority, and we certainly appreciate that India is contributing significantly to the various processes of the global majority.”
Putin’s visit follows his previous trip on December 4, 2025, which was his first since the outbreak of the Ukraine war. During that visit, PM Modi had accorded him a warm welcome, hosting a private dinner and gifting a Russian-translated copy of the ‘Bhagavad Gita’. This upcoming meeting is anticipated to inject fresh momentum into the historic and strategic relations between New Delhi and Moscow.