Opinion | India And Russia Go From Resilience To Leverage

Updated: Sep 13, 2026 15:21 pm IST Published On Sep 13, 2026 15:15 pm IST Last Updated On Sep 13, 2026 15:21 pm IST

Published On Sep 13, 2026 15:15 pm IST

Last Updated On Sep 13, 2026 15:21 pm IST

The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Delhi on September 11, on the eve of the 18th BRICS Summit, was significant as an important step towards the forthcoming 24th India-Russia Annual Summit.

Coming less than two weeks after their meeting in Bishkek on August 31 on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, the Delhi engagement demonstrated the intensity of India-Russia consultations amid considerable geopolitical uncertainty. The two leaders reviewed political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people cooperation, while discussing the conflicts in the Middle East and the Black Sea and their implications for maritime trade and Indian seafarers.

From Bishkek To Delhi: Consolidating The Partnership

The Delhi meeting built upon, rather than replicated, the Bishkek conversation. While the earlier meeting provided a broad strategic assessment, the Delhi engagement placed greater emphasis on economic and industrial cooperation. The two leaders welcomed the first INNOPROM India exhibition, held in Delhi from 9 to 11 September, as an avenue for expanding trade and industrial partnerships. They also discussed implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030, alongside cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence and culture.

The economic dimension is becoming increasingly important. India and Russia have set a target........

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