Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Modi-Putin Meeting to Address Oil, Defense and Ukraine
Narendra Modi of India and Vladimir Putin of Russia are meeting on Friday.
They will discuss how their countries work together.
Important topics include oil, defense equipment, technology and nuclear energy.
India also wants to reduce its large trade gap with Russia.
The two sides are using their own currencies more often instead of the US dollar.
India buys a lot of Russian oil, even though Russia is fighting Ukraine.
India says the war should end through talks and diplomacy.
The countries may also discuss bringing Indian workers home from the Russian military.
They could talk about missiles, fighter jets and air-defense systems as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet Friday alongside the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
The agenda is expected to include defense, energy, technology, trade, de-dollarization and the return of Indians working with Russia’s military.
India is concerned about a trade deficit with Russia exceeding $50 billion, while both countries increasingly use national currencies for trade.
Russian oil purchases, possible US sanctions and energy disruptions linked to the conflict in West Asia are expected to feature in discussions.
The leaders may discuss S-400 deliveries, BrahMos missile upgrades, Su-57 technology transfer and potential Russian-built civil nuclear reactors.
- Who
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with officials including Dmitry Peskov and S. Jaishankar involved in related discussions.
- What
- A high-level India-Russia meeting covering bilateral ties, trade, energy, defense, technology, Ukraine and the repatriation of Indian nationals working with the Russian military.
- When
- Friday, ahead of the two-day BRICS summit scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
- Why
- To discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation, addressing India’s trade deficit and energy concerns, advancing defense projects, and exchanging views on the Ukraine conflict and international affairs.
Indian and diplomatic concerns
Russian positions and responses
Russian oil and the Ukraine war
Indian and diplomatic concerns
India says dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation—not decisions by individual countries to stop buying oil—are needed to end the conflict, while Ukraine and others have raised concerns about economic pressure and oil purchases.
Russian positions and responses
Russia continues to supply oil to India and calls proposed measures against Russian oil buyers illegal, unfair and unexpected; it says the Ukraine conflict should be resolved peacefully.
Trade imbalance
Indian and diplomatic concerns
India considers its trade deficit with Russia, which exceeds $50 billion, a foremost priority and wants the imbalance addressed.
Russian positions and responses
Russia says it recognizes India’s concern, is working to address it, and wants to expand Russian companies’ presence in India while encouraging Indian investment in Russia.
Defense technology cooperation
Indian and diplomatic concerns
India is seeking deliveries and cooperation that go beyond buying finished equipment, including technology transfer and improved capabilities for systems such as BrahMos and the Su-57.
Russian positions and responses
Russia says it is willing to share advanced military technology, fulfill its S-400 obligations and deepen joint production with India.
- Meeting participants
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin
- Main topics
- Defense, energy, technology, trade, national currencies and Ukraine
- Trade deficit
- India’s deficit with Russia has risen to more than $50 billion, according to the article.
- Russian oil imports
- India’s imports reached about 2.47 million barrels per day in July and about 2.1 million barrels per day in August, according to cited data.
- Indian nationals in Russian military
- More than two dozen Indians were reported to be currently working with the Russian military; about 51 have reportedly died.
- Defense projects
- Discussions may include remaining S-400 deliveries, BrahMos upgrades, Su-57 technology transfer and Su-30 aircraft engine overhauls.
- BRICS summit
- India is hosting the September 12-13 summit under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”