Modi, Putin embrace before talking trade, energy and defense

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin embraced on Friday before talks on trade, energy and defense. The meeting came a day ahead of the 11-member BRICS summit in New Delhi.

What did Modi and Putin discuss in New Delhi?

Modi and Putin held talks centered on trade, energy and defense cooperation between the two countries. Moscow remains one of New Delhi's most important strategic partners and military suppliers. Indian broadcasters showed the two leaders grinning and patting each other on the back at the conference center hosting Saturday's summit.

How has India relied on Russian energy?

India has managed the energy crisis caused by the US-Iran war partly by turning to Russia, despite Moscow's war in Ukraine and pressure from Washington and other Western capitals. Putin last visited India in December 2025, though the two leaders met earlier this month at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan. Speaking in Bishkek at that meeting, Modi had urged Putin to move from an "endless war towards the end of war."

How much crude oil has India imported from Russia?

Indian refiners nearly doubled crude imports from Russia in March, in the weeks after the Middle East war erupted, aided by temporary US waivers. Shipments then rose sharply to 2.71 million barrels per day in June and a record 2.81 million in July, according to trade intelligence firm Kpler. Imports fell to 2.07 million barrels per day in August but remained significant, Kpler data showed.

How large is trade between India and Russia?

Bilateral goods trade between the two countries reached $59.9 billion in 2025-26, according to Indian government data. India exported $4.49 billion worth of goods to Russia while importing $55.37 billion, reflecting the scale of India's reliance on Russian energy and other imports.