Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in New Delhi on September 11, 2026, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit. The leaders agreed to 'remain engaged' to further strengthen what they described as a 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' between India and Russia.

Their discussions covered traditional areas of bilateral cooperation, including energy and defence, and also touched on trade, investment and other sectors such as political and economic ties, space, mobility and people‑to‑people links. The meeting referenced a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030, up from roughly $70 billion in 2024–25.

Prime Minister Modi presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the classical Tamil text Thirukkural during the meeting. The two leaders also visited the India‑Russia industrial exhibition (INNOPROM India) being held in New Delhi as part of BRICS events, and Putin attended BRICS‑related business activities including the BRICS Business Forum and exhibition programmes.

Modi said that 'dialogue and diplomacy' are the way forward for resolving conflicts and reiterated a willingness to assist in peace efforts. The meeting followed an earlier encounter between the two leaders on August 31, 2026, on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek, marking two meetings within a short period.

The Kremlin announced President Putin’s visit to India for BRICS activities from September 11–13, 2026. Multiple international and Indian outlets and official sources reported the meeting and its broad outcomes.