Modi-Putin meet before BRICS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, ahead of the BRICS Summit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
The meeting will be the second interaction between the two leaders in recent weeks. Modi and Putin met last month on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. During that meeting, Modi called for an end to the prolonged war in Ukraine.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking at a press conference organised by Sputnik News for Indian journalists in Delhi, the upcoming talks are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation, with discussions covering development, security, counterterrorism, efforts to combat drug trafficking, and cooperation in the space sector.
Defence cooperation is also likely to feature prominently, with the proposed sale of Russia’s Su-57 fighter aircraft expected to be discussed. Peskov said Moscow was prepared to consider India’s request for technology transfer.
The Modi-Putin meeting will take place a day before the BRICS Summit, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Putin is expected to join other leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Peskov also highlighted the growing significance of BRICS, describing the grouping as having developed beyond an organisation into a bloc. Speaking about India’s BRICS presidency, he said cooperation among member countries was based on mutual trust, respect and shared interests.
He further said the global order was undergoing a transformation, with the influence of a unipolar system declining. According to Peskov, BRICS represents countries seeking a more balanced international system in which nations have equal standing.
The meeting comes shortly after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visits to Ukraine and Russia. During his diplomatic engagements, Jaishankar said India was exploring ideas that could help reduce tensions and contribute to ending the Ukraine conflict.
India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward on the Ukraine war and has expressed its willingness to assist efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution.