Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India and Russia Seek Greater Leverage Through Strategic Partnership
India and Russia are trying to make their long-standing partnership stronger and more useful.
Their leaders, Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin, met in Delhi on September 11.
They discussed trade, defence, energy, technology, space and other areas.
The two countries want their trade to reach $100 billion by 2030.
They also want more Indian exports, investment and industrial cooperation.
Russia highlighted transport routes and cooperation through BRICS.
India is concerned that conflicts in the Black Sea and Middle East can disrupt ships, energy and supplies.
India says countries should use dialogue and diplomacy to solve conflicts while keeping partnerships with many different nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin met in Delhi on September 11 ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
The leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, defence, energy, space, technology, skills and people-to-people ties.
India and Russia aim to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030 while expanding Indian exports and investment.
Putin promoted BRICS cooperation on energy security, food security and transport corridors while criticizing sanctions and trade restrictions.
India emphasized dialogue, diplomacy, secure maritime routes and strategic autonomy amid conflicts affecting the Black Sea and Middle East.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
- What
- They discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and preparing for the forthcoming India-Russia Annual Summit.
- When
- The meeting took place on September 11, following a previous meeting on August 31.
- Where
- Delhi, India, on the eve of the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Why
- To deepen economic, strategic and diplomatic cooperation amid geopolitical uncertainty, sanctions and disruptions to trade routes.
- Bilateral trade target
- India and Russia aim to reach $100 billion in trade by 2030.
- Main cooperation areas
- Trade, infrastructure, energy, technology, defence, space, skills and culture.
- Recent meetings
- Modi and Putin met in Bishkek on August 31 and in Delhi on September 11.
- Transport corridors
- Russia highlighted the Arctic Transport Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
- Maritime concerns
- The leaders discussed the effects of conflicts on maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.
- India’s diplomatic position
- Modi said dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward for resolving conflicts.
- BRICS context
- India has presented BRICS as an inclusive cooperation platform rather than an anti-Western bloc.