New Delhi: As India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, the nation is witnessing a busy diplomatic week and is at the epicentre of geopolitics and global strategic mosaic. On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
While PM Modi-President Putin engagement is likely to focus strongly on defence cooperation, including the S-400, Su-57 and BrahMos programmes, the possible PM Modi-President Xi meeting will act as a catalyst to further stabilise Sino-India ties, accelerate effective border management and reduce other geopolitical & economic skirmishes.
PM Modi-President Putin to focus on defence partnership; S-400, Su-57, BrahMos on the agenda
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS Summit, with his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for September 11, Friday. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated that the two leaders will discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues, while military-technical cooperation is expected to receive particular attention.
The meeting comes as India and Russia seek to move their longstanding defence relationship beyond the traditional buyer-seller model to joint research, technology transfer, co-design, co-production and exports.
Among the most immediate issues will be the completion of India’s S-400 air-defence contract. New Delhi signed a $5.43-billion agreement with Moscow in 2018 for five S-400 Triumf systems. Deliveries have faced delays amid the Russia-Ukraine war, but Peskov has reiterated that Moscow will fulfil its commitments.
“Russia is capable of fulfilling its obligations, and they will be fulfilled”, Peskov said, stressing that the issue remains part of discussions between the two leaders. The S-400 continues to be an important component of India’s layered air-defence architecture, given its ability to detect and engage a range of aerial threats at extended distances.
Su-57: From fighter sale to technology partnership expected
The more strategically significant conversation could revolve around Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter. Moscow is actively pitching the advanced stealth aircraft to India and Peskov confirmed that the possibility of selling the aircraft is on the agenda. However, India’s interest is expected to extend beyond acquiring finished platforms.
Peskov said Indian scientists and officials are seeking production technologies, while acknowledging that discussions over the transfer of highly sophisticated military technology would require further negotiations.
For New Delhi, this could be crucial. India’s defence strategy increasingly emphasises domestic manufacturing, technology absorption, integration of Indian weapon systems to the Russian fighter aircraft, self-reliance and indigenous production rather than continued dependence on imported platforms.
BrahMos partnership to witness upgradation
The BrahMos programme is another major pillar of the PM Modi-President Putin bilateral talks. Jointly developed and produced by India and Russia, BrahMos has evolved into one of the defining examples of successful bilateral defence cooperation. The missile has been integrated across land, naval and air platforms and has also opened a new chapter in India’s defence-export ambitions.
Peskov has indicated that Moscow believes it is time to improve the missile, add new capabilities and make it more competitive internationally. The BrahMos-NG, a smaller and lighter variant, is particularly significant. Its reduced size is expected to enable integration with additional fighter aircraft, including platforms such as the Tejas and MiG-29.
Meanwhile, the global demand for BrahMos is soaring, specifically post operation Sindoor. Philippines has already emerged as the first foreign customer for BrahMos, while other countries including Indonesia, Vietnam are reportedly aspiring for the system.
PM Modi-President Xi meeting: A stimulus to stabilise Sino-India relations
A possible meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping could prove equally consequential. President Xi is expected to visit New Delhi for the BRICS Summit, potentially marking his first visit to India in seven years. A bilateral meeting between the leaders would come after years of tensions triggered by the 2020 Galwan clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, when Chinese PLA intruded into Indian territory.
Since then, India has tightened scrutiny of Chinese investments, diversified supply chains, restricted imports, banned Chinese apps and remained firm on border security. At the same time, the two countries have gradually reopened channels of high-level engagement to resolve border tensions. Cross-border trade, Kailash Mansarovar yatra, direct flight connectivity, tourist visa distribution have been resumed, beyond fundamental differences and India’s security concerns, which it flags repeatedly via diplomatic & military channels.
In October 2024, India and China reached an understanding on disengagement in parts of eastern Ladakh, paving the way for renewed political engagement. Progress around areas including Depsang and Demchok has contributed to efforts to stabilise the relationship. However, stabilisation should not be mistaken for the full restoration of trust and caution remains. In this direction, high-level talks between PM Modi & President Xi has potential to further reach an understanding, helps for better border management & stabilize bilateral ties.
The PM Modi-President Putin and PM Modi-President Xi engagements will take place against a rapidly changing global geopolitical backdrop. For India, the BRICS Summit provides an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships with Russia while cautiously managing competition and cooperation with China. The emphasis on defence technology, domestic production, resilient supply chains and border security, territorial sovereignty reflects New Delhi’s broader effort to preserve strategic autonomy.
