Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Modi Meets Putin and Pezeshkian as BRICS Summit Begins
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a meeting of BRICS countries in India.
He said BRICS now includes 11 members and 10 partner countries.
Together, these countries represent about half of the world’s people.
Modi asked them to reduce trade barriers and help startups.
He also said ships and sailors need safe routes so world trade can continue.
Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss cooperation in several areas.
He met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian while tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continued.
BRICS officials expressed concern about tariffs imposed by individual countries.
They also supported using national currencies more often for trade between BRICS members.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted BRICS’ 11 members and 10 partner countries, representing half of the world’s population.
Modi urged BRICS to identify the 10 biggest trade barriers and support 100 startups from member countries.
Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on trade, defence, energy, space and other areas.
Modi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian amid concerns over the Strait of Hormuz and regional conflicts.
BRICS finance officials criticized unilateral tariffs and encouraged greater use of local currencies in trade and investment.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other BRICS officials.
- What
- Modi held bilateral meetings and addressed the BRICS Business Forum as the summit focused on trade, cooperation, conflicts and the global economic order.
- When
- During the BRICS summit and the two days of meetings described in the report.
- Where
- New Delhi, including Bharat Mandapam and the Innoprom India exhibition.
- Why
- To strengthen diplomatic, economic and strategic cooperation and discuss trade barriers, regional conflicts, payment systems and safe shipping routes.
- BRICS composition
- The bloc has 11 members and 10 partner countries.
- Global economic reach
- BRICS represents half of the world’s population, 40 percent of global GDP and more than 25 percent of global trade.
- Modi’s trade proposal
- He called for a report on removing the top 10 trade barriers and support for 100 BRICS startups.
- India-Russia trade
- The report estimates that around 96 percent of bilateral trade is settled in rupees and roubles.
- Potential defence purchases
- India is considering a Russian proposal for five more S-400 air defence systems, while Russia has reportedly offered Su-57 fighter jets.
- Trade policy
- BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors voiced concern about unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures.
- Currency discussions
- BRICS officials encouraged discussions on using local currencies for trade and investment.