Modi, Putin seek stronger ties as Russia calls for BRICS to counter West - reuters.com
India and Russia used the Johannesburg BRICS summit to pledge tighter political and economic ties, with Modi stressing peace in Ukraine and maritime security while Putin called for the bloc to act as a counter‑balance to Western pressure. The two leaders highlighted that BRICS now produces over 40 % of global GDP, underscoring the group's growing influence on the world stage.
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India and Russia used the Johannesburg BRICS summit to pledge tighter political and economic ties, with Modi stressing peace in Ukraine and maritime security while Putin called for the bloc to act as a counter‑balance to Western pressure. The two leaders highlighted that BRICS now produces over 40 % of global GDP, underscoring the group's growing influence on the world stage.
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**New Delhi – Johannesburg, September 12, 2024** – At the opening session of the 2024 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines to reaffirm a push for deeper strategic cooperation. Both leaders framed the dialogue against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical friction between Moscow and Western capitals, with Putin urging the bloc to serve as a “collective counter‑weight” to what he described as “unilateral pressure” from the United States and Europe. The two premiers underscored that stronger India‑Russia ties are essential for safeguarding multilateralism, expanding trade, and maintaining regional stability in South and Central Asia.
During the bilateral talks, Modi reiterated India’s “peace‑first” stance on the Ukraine conflict, calling on Russia to accelerate diplomatic efforts that could bring an end to hostilities. He also highlighted the importance of uninterrupted global maritime trade and the safety of seafarers—issues that have risen on the BRICS agenda after a series of piracy incidents and shipping disruptions in the Indian Ocean. In a parallel gesture, Russia’s envoy to the summit, Ambassador **Vladimir Berezovsky**, delivered a brief Hindi address, saying “**Main umeed karta hoon** that our countries will deepen cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,” a move intended to signal cultural outreach and reinforce the partnership’s political goodwill.
Economically, the BRICS nations now account for more than 40 % of world GDP, a figure cited by Putin during his speech to the summit’s plenary. The combined market size, together with growing cooperation in energy, defense, and technology sectors, is being leveraged by both New Delhi and Moscow to diversify away from Western‑dominated supply chains. Observers note that while the rhetoric of a united front against the West is gaining traction, practical outcomes will hinge on concrete agreements—ranging from joint infrastructure projects to coordinated positions in global financial institutions—that can translate political solidarity into measurable economic gains.
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