Russian President Vladimir Putin begins 3-day India visit — SkimNews
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- Putin began a three-day India visit on September 11, 2026, his first in-person BRICS summit participation outside Russia since the Ukraine war started in February 2022.
- India is hosting the two-day BRICS summit starting September 12, focused on collective resilience in food, energy, health, disaster reduction, and critical supply chains.
- Putin and PM Modi are scheduled for wide-ranging bilateral talks Friday covering defence, energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, and people-to-people exchanges.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said both sides are exploring BrahMos missile upgrades, Moscow remains committed to remaining S-400 deliveries, and they are discussing proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets.
- Energy cooperation includes negotiations for India's plan to set up new civil nuclear reactors, Peskov said.
- At the recent SCO summit in Bishkek, Modi urged Putin to shift from "an endless war towards the end of war," and the Ukraine conflict and peace roadmap are expected to feature prominently in their talks.
- Leaders attending the summit include Xi Jinping, Masoud Pezeshkian, Cyril Ramaphosa, Prabowo Subianto, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Anwar Ibrahim, and Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Why it matters: Putin's first BRICS summit outside Russia since 2022 puts him face-to-face with Xi and other Global South leaders while India balances Moscow ties against renewed Trump administration Ukraine peace efforts. Modi's recent "end of war" appeal frames India as a diplomatic bridge, with BrahMos upgrades, pending S-400 deliveries, and proposed Su-57 supply giving the bilateral concrete material weight.
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