PM Modi and President Putin hold bilateral talks
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11, Friday met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of BRICS Summit in the national capital and reviewed progress in bilateral ties in a range of areas including defence, energy, space and people-to- people domains. This was their second meeting in a fortnight. The two leaders had met earlier in Bishkek on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit on August 31.
“PM Narendra Modi held wide-ranging discussions with President Putin on various aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in sectors including trade, energy, defence, space and people to people ties which remain key focus areas of the enduring India-Russia partnership”, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
They also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers. PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remains the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stands ready to assist in peace efforts.
As per the sources, PM Modi and President Putin also agreed to expand bilateral trade to USD 100bn by 2030. Earlier, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had called for an accelerated India-Russia economic and industrial partnership, urging businesses from both countries to work towards achieving the USD 100 billion target in bilateral trade by 2030.
Addressing the INNOPROM India 2026 Co-Chair Plenary Session alongside Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov in New Delhi, Goyal said increasing bilateral trade from the current level of around $60 billion to $100 billion would require adding nearly $40 billion over the next four years and sustaining double-digit annual growth.
The two leaders welcomed Russia’s International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM India”, which was held for the first time in India from September 9-11 and underscored its importance in further expanding trade and industrial ties. The two leaders also visited the INNOPROM India exhibition and interacted with the participants.
The visit to INNOPROM came after discussions between PM Modi and President Putin. Sources said the success of INNOPROM in India was also on the agenda of the discussion between Putin and PM Modi. Bringing INNOPROM to India has paved the way for expanding industrial cooperation with Russia, more collaboration in the rail sector and tunnelling, developing the steel value chain, creating more B2B opportunities and broadening access to the Russian market.
INNOPROM, the International Industrial Exhibition, is a global platform that brings together manufacturers and buyers from around the world. It provides an opportunity to showcase cutting-edge technologies, access the international market, and serve as an effective B2B platform for productive networking.
PM Modi and President Putin agreed to remain engaged in an effort to strengthen further the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties.
President Putin also invited Prime Minister to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. Prime Minister accepted the invitation. The dates of the Summit will be decided as per mutual convenience through diplomatic channels.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin also shared a car ride to the INNOPROM exhibition at Bharat Mandapam after their bilateral meeting in New Delhi, reflecting the deep strategic and special ties shared between India and Russia and also the personal bond shared between both the leaders.
(With Inputs from ANI)
