Ahead of BRICS, PM holds talks with Russian President Putin

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, September 11, met Russian President Vladimir Putin for wide-ranging talks that are likely to focus on enhancing annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 and further strengthening cooperation in defence, energy and critical minerals.

Putin landed in New Delhi this morning on a three-day visit to participate in the BRICS summit.

The two leaders are also expected to delve into expanding the already strong defence cooperation.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had said earlier that both sides are exploring BrahMos missile upgrades and that Moscow remains committed to fulfilling its remaining S-400 system deliveries and discussing the proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets.

The Russian official said the energy ties between the t­wo countries remained robust and that both sides are looking at holding negotiations for India’s plan to set up new civil nuclear reactors.

Previous meeting on SCO sidelines last week

Modi and Putin previously met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek last week, where the Prime Minister called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged the Russian leader to shift from an “endless war towards the end of war”.

The Ukraine conflict and roadmap to peace are expected to feature prominently in their upcoming talks.

There have been renewed efforts, including by the Trump administration in the last few days, to find a way to resolve the conflict.

Ahead of the Modi-Putin talks, sources said the two sides will also focus on reaching the ambitious trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030.

Expanding industrial cooperation with Russia, collaboration in the rail sector and tunnelling, developing the steel value chain and broadening access to the Russian market for Indian exporters are also set to figure in the talks, they said.

The two leaders are also expected to deliberate on strengthening civil nuclear cooperation, including fuel cycle and life cycle support. Increasing mobility of Indian skilled labourers to Russia and cooperation in critical minerals are also set to be discussed, the sources said.

PM’s gift for Putin

The Prime Minister gave a copy of the Russian translation of Thirukkural, the classical Tamil poem collection authored by legendary poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.

Thirukkural, a seminal work by much-revered Thiruvalluvar, contains words of wisdom on multiple subjects.

“Presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, which carries the eternal wisdom of the great Thiruvalluvar across languages and borders,” Modi posted on X.