Prime Ministers of India and Russia Strengthen Ties Amid Global Challenges
NEW DELHI, Sept 11 – On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions aimed at enhancing the special relationship between India and Russia, covering key topics such as energy and defense.
India is currently navigating a complex diplomatic landscape, maintaining strong connections with countries like the United States, Gulf Arab nations, Russia, Iran, and Israel, all while dealing with trade disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
This meeting marked the second time in just two weeks that Modi and Putin have met, coinciding with the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi, which will feature leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The BRICS bloc aims to boost its influence, even as its members hold differing views on the Iranian conflict.
In their talks, Modi and Putin exchanged views on the conflicts affecting West Asia and the Black Sea region, particularly concerning their impact on maritime trade and the safety of Indian sailors, as noted in a statement from India’s foreign ministry. Modi emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy over conflict resolution, reiterating India’s commitment to contribute to peace efforts.
The leaders agreed to continue their collaboration in enhancing the strategic partnership between their countries, according to the foreign ministry.
Strong Energy Partnership
India, alongside China, is one of the largest purchasers of Russian oil. This trade is crucial for Russia, especially since the country faces significant financial challenges due to the conflict in Ukraine and sanctions imposed by Western nations.
India has resisted international pressure to reduce its oil imports from Russia, citing the need for stable, affordable energy to support its vast population and economy. New Delhi asserts that the crisis in Ukraine should be resolved through dialogue, rather than halting trade in vital resources like energy, metals, and fertilizers.
In June 2026, the amount of crude oil imported from Russia reached a historic 51% of India’s total imports, a figure that was influenced by disruptions in Middle Eastern supplies. Some reports indicate that this share may have decreased slightly in August as China increased its own oil purchases from Russia.
During their meeting, Modi presented Putin with a Russian-language version of the Thirukkural, a cherished classical work from India’s Tamil culture, which consists of 1,330 couplets focused on themes of virtue, governance, and love, written by the esteemed poet Thiruvalluvar.
Both leaders also attended an industrial fair showcasing India-Russia collaboration in sectors such as technology, aviation, space, and nuclear science.
India and Russia are targeting a goal of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, up from nearly $70 billion projected for 2024-25.
(Reporting by Saurabh Sharma and Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Writing by YP Rajesh; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
