Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India this week to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the Kremlin confirming that the Russian leader will participate in the high-level meeting on September 12 and 13.
The BRICS Summit will be hosted at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin’s participation during a virtual interaction with Indian journalists on Tuesday, describing the visit as an important opportunity for Moscow and New Delhi to discuss bilateral relations.
Peskov also extended Russia’s best wishes to India for successfully hosting the summit, while indicating that Moscow intends to contribute to discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation within BRICS.
Putin to Meet PM Modi Before BRICS Summit
According to the Kremlin, Putin is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11, a day before the formal BRICS Summit begins.
The meeting is expected to provide the two leaders with an opportunity to review India-Russia relations and discuss a range of international and bilateral issues.
Speaking during the virtual briefing from Moscow, Peskov highlighted the close relationship between Modi and Putin and said their personal engagement has helped facilitate discussions on sensitive matters.
“In a couple of days, President Putin will begin his India visit. You know that our two leaders, Indian and Russian leaders, are in a very close personal contact. They are very pragmatic in their relationship, and they are as sincere as to be able to discuss in a very open and constructive way the most sensitive issues of our agenda and our bilateral relations. Of course, it opens additional horizons for our cooperation,” Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesperson also expressed confidence that the upcoming BRICS meeting would be successful.
“We have no doubt that the summit will be successful. Russia, we are doing our best to contribute to further development of BRICS cooperation in the three main pillars of our interaction. So, those are policy and security. economy and finance, and cultural and humanitarian contexts. So, we are supporting idea of inviting new countries to join different formats within BRICS,” he added.
Modi and Putin Recently Met in Bishkek
Putin’s India visit comes shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31.
The two leaders met at the Aksakal Meeting Room at the Bishkek Ala Archa State Residence. Putin was accompanied by senior Russian officials, including ministers.
The meeting began with Modi and Putin exchanging a hug before entering into discussions. Putin said at the beginning of the talks that relations between Russia and India were continuing to strengthen.
The Ukraine conflict was also among the issues discussed during the meeting. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for peace and called for an end to the ongoing hostilities.
“We have consistently discussed the issue of Ukraine. When we met previously, you briefed me in detail on all aspects of the matter. As you know, India supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so. Every day spent in war sets humanity back, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move away from endless wars towards an end to war. This is essential for the well-being of humanity. A peaceful resolution to all issues at the earliest is the call of humanity, and this is India’s message. The land of Gandhi and the land of Buddha share a single message: the path of peace. Today, I look forward to discussing these matters with you,” Modi said.
India to Host 18th BRICS Summit
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, with India holding the BRICS chairmanship in 2026.
India assumed the presidency of the grouping on January 1, marking its fourth time leading the forum. The year is also significant as BRICS completes two decades since its establishment.
The grouping began as BRIC, bringing together Brazil, Russia, India and China. The first meeting of BRIC foreign ministers took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2006. The first BRIC leaders’ summit was subsequently held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
South Africa joined the grouping in 2011, leading to the formation of BRICS.
For its 2026 chairship, India has adopted the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Under this approach, New Delhi is seeking to push BRICS towards practical cooperation in areas beyond traditional political coordination. The agenda includes trade and commerce, agriculture, healthcare, energy, digital technology, urban development, startups, small businesses, climate action and cultural cooperation.
Putin’s visit, therefore, comes at a significant time for India-Russia relations as well as the wider BRICS framework. His bilateral meeting with Modi on September 11 is likely to be closely watched ahead of the leaders’ summit.
