Putin Lands In Delhi For BRICS Summit, To Hold Bilateral With PM Modi Today - NDTV

**Putin Arrives in Delhi Ahead of the 2026 BRICS Summit**

Russian President Vladimir Putin touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, marking the start of a two‑day visit that will culminate in the opening session of the BRICS summit on Saturday. The delegation, which includes senior officials from the ministries of foreign affairs, energy and defence, was welcomed by a contingent of Indian officials led by Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. The arrival was widely covered by Indian media, with NDTV noting the timing of the visit as “crucial” given heightened global tensions and the upcoming discussions on economic cooperation, climate change and security within the BRICS framework.

During his stay, President Putin is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister’s Office. The agenda is expected to focus on deepening Indo‑Russian strategic ties, expanding trade in sectors such as defence, energy and pharmaceuticals, and coordinating positions on contentious international issues, including the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in West Asia. Sources cited by *The New Indian Express* suggest that the leaders will also address the development of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the potential impact of Russia’s fifth‑generation Su‑57 fighter on the regional aerospace balance.

The BRICS summit, set to convene on Saturday in New Delhi, will bring together heads of state from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with a host of guest nations. According to *The Hindu*, the gathering will grapple with the “global crisis” narrative, focusing on reforming international financial institutions, enhancing intra‑BRICS trade, and presenting a united front on issues of sovereignty and non‑interference. Observers note that India’s role as host underscores its growing diplomatic clout, while Russia’s participation highlights its pivot toward Asian partnerships amid Western sanctions.