Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday morning for the 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India this weekend. His visit marks the beginning of a series of high-level meetings that will focus on key issues such as trade, energy, finance, and global geopolitical challenges.
Putin was received at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. The Russian President’s arrival marks an important moment for the India-Russia strategic partnership, with his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for Friday. The exhibition has been organised by the industry and trade ministries of Russia and India.
The Russian President is undertaking a working visit to India, with the main BRICS Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13 under India’s chairship, according to the Kremlin. “On September 11, Vladimir Putin will address the plenary session of the annual BRICS Business Forum, which traditionally precedes the summit and serves as an important platform for dialogue among business representatives from BRICS countries. On September 11, he is scheduled to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Putin in a post on X, describing India-Russia ties as “multifaceted and longstanding”. He said the relationship is anchored in the two countries’ “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”. The Kremlin said Putin will also visit the INNOPROM exhibition along with Prime Minister Modi. On the same day, the President of Russia will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, together with him, visit the INNOPROM exhibition, organised by the two countries’ ministries of industry and trade,” the Kremlin statement said. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said contacts between the two leaders have become regular, according to Russian news agency TASS.
