Modi-Putin Meet at BRICS: Trade Target of $100 Billion by 2030 and Tirukkural Gift

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by a high-level Indian delegation including External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Ajit Doval, and senior Prime Minister's Office officials. The discussions highlight the full spectrum of India-Russia strategic relations across defence, economy, energy, and national security, building on longstanding cooperation such as the BrahMos missile and nuclear submarine projects. Business-to-business cooperation in infrastructure areas like tunnel boring machines and steel usage was noted as critical to economic expansion. Prime Minister Modi also presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural by saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, published under the Central Institute of Classical Tamil translation series.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a bilateral meeting alongside key delegates, including External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The bilateral discussions focus on advancing strategic ties, reaching a hundred billion dollars in bilateral trade, and addressing the trade deficit between India and Russia. Key agenda items for the leaders also include defence and energy cooperation, building on their long-standing strategic partnership.

A report outlines the strategic agenda of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India for bilateral discussions and forum talks. The engagement highlights deep diplomatic ties, growing energy trade, and defense cooperation, including discussions on fighter jet engine technology, S-400 systems, and indigenous defense production. The discussion also reflects on India's economic trajectory and self-reliance in science and technology.

Ahead of the high-stakes bilateral meeting between India and Russia at Bharat Mandapam, a panel of experts analysed key diplomatic, economic, and strategic dimensions. Former Ambassador to Germany Gurjit Singh highlighted the dynamics of energy dependency, remarking that 'it is only oil trade which makes the difference' while urging diplomatic engagement on Iranian oil disruptions. Sandeep Unnithan evaluated decades of bilateral defence collaboration, pointing to joint hardware acquisitions, nuclear-powered attack submarines, and the economic fallout of crude oil crossing $100 a barrel amid US pressure. Professor Deepanshu Mohan focused on the BRICS framework, the New Development Bank's role in local currency bond issuance, and the critical importance of digital commerce, MSMEs, and alternative supply chains to uphold India's strategic autonomy.