Source TOI
NEW DELHI — In a major geopolitical development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are slated to hold crucial bilateral talks this Friday. Set against the backdrop of the impending 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the high-profile meeting is expected to prioritize strategic defense partnerships, advanced energy cooperation, and the navigation of international sanctions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently confirmed the bilateral agenda, noting that the relationship between the two leaders continues to thrive on pragmatic, open, and highly constructive dialogue. At the very top of New Delhi’s strategic requests is the much-anticipated technology transfer for Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets. For India, securing the know-how for this advanced stealth aircraft would mark a substantial leap in its aerospace capabilities and the modernization of its air fleet.
Beyond aerospace defense, energy security remains a cornerstone of the India-Russia partnership. The two leaders will advance negotiations regarding the construction of new Russian-designed nuclear power plants on Indian soil. As India accelerates its transition toward cleaner energy to support its massive economic growth, scaling up its nuclear energy infrastructure with Moscow’s assistance is viewed as a vital strategic move. Furthermore, the two nations are also exploring new collaborative avenues in rare earth exploration, a critical component for modern technology and defense manufacturing.
A significant portion of the talks will be dedicated to trade, economic cooperation, and financial resilience, particularly in light of stringent Western sanctions. Peskov highlighted the necessity of deeper financial collaboration, arguing that some nations are leveraging their currencies as tools of political oppression. He revealed a staggering shift within the BRICS economic bloc: approximately 90 percent of payments between member countries are now being conducted in national currencies, effectively bypassing the US dollar. The Kremlin spokesperson also sharply criticized Washington’s proposed 100 percent tariffs on nations purchasing Russian crude oil, characterizing such measures as “illegal and unacceptable.”
The diplomatic agenda is also expected to touch upon the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Moscow has publicly welcomed India’s continued willingness to support diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution. Prime Minister Modi’s continued emphasis on diplomacy and dialogue resonates as India maintains its delicate strategic autonomy—balancing its historic ties with Russia while engaging closely with Western partners.
The bilateral meeting will set a collaborative tone for the broader 18th BRICS Summit, taking place at the Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13. India is chairing the 2026 summit under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The multi-nation gathering will feature expanded participation and focus intensely on practical cooperation across diverse sectors, including artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, green finance, and energy transitions.
As Putin and Modi prepare to sit down in New Delhi, the world will be closely watching. The impending discussions on defense, nuclear power, and alternative financial mechanisms promise not only to cement the long-standing Moscow-New Delhi alliance but also to shape the broader trajectory of a multi-polar world order.
