Putin invites Indian Prime Minister Modi to Russia for the 24th India‑Russia Annual Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral ties in political, economic, defence, energy, space and skill mobility sectors, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, following their bilateral meeting on the margins of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.President Putin also invited PM Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit, an invitation the Prime Minister accepted.The two leaders also shared perspectives on the conflicts in West Asia and the situation in the Black Sea region, the MEA said.Also read: From Sochi to a parked car: How Modi-Putin built a private channelAccording to the MEA, Modi and Putin reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defence, energy, space, skill mobility and people-to-people domains.

They welcomed Russia's International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM India , held in India for the first time from September 9-11, and underscored its role in expanding trade and industrial ties between the two countries.The two leaders also visited the INNOPROM India exhibition together and interacted with participants.On the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, the MEA noted that these have affected maritime trade as well as the safety and security of Indian seafarers.

PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remained the way forward in resolving conflicts, and that India stood ready to assist in peace efforts.The two sides also exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in the multilateral sphere, particularly within BRICS under India's Chairship for 2026, and agreed to remain engaged in strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, noting that the relationship continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience amid geopolitical uncertainties.

The dates for the 24th Annual Summit will be finalised through diplomatic channels.Also read: Elephant, Dragon & Bear: Modi, Xi and Putin may converge at BRICS for a big power playFriday's meeting was the second between Modi and Putin this year, following their talks in Bishkek on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit on August 31, 2026.

It came a day ahead of the formal proceedings of the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting in New Delhi on September 12-13.India, along with ​China, is one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, which is seen as helping Moscow replenish its budget since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and was hit with sweeping Western sanctions.India has sought to resist the pressure to scale back the trade, saying its large population and economy need secure, affordable and reliable energy supplies.

New Delhi has also said that the Ukraine conflict can ‌be resolved only through dialogue and diplomacy and not by some countries stopping energy, metal or fertiliser trade with Russia.Russia's share of Indian crude imports rose in 2026, ​reaching a record ​51% in July, as disruptions ⁠to Middle Eastern supplies increased Indian refiners' reliance on Russian oil.

That share likely moderated in August as China stepped up Russian oil purchases, Indian media reported.The two leaders also visited an India-Russia industrial fair showcasing Russian technology, AI, aviation, space, nuclear science, heavy engineering, mining and banking companies.India and Russia have said they want to raise bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030 from nearly $70 billion in 2024-25.The India-Russia relationship is anchored in the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, first declared in October 2000 and upgraded to its current framework in 2010.The two countries hold an Annual Summit, their highest institutionalised dialogue mechanism, alternately in India and Russia; the most recent edition, the 23rd Annual Summit, was held in New Delhi in December 2025, when the two sides adopted Programme 2030 as a framework to deepen cooperation across trade, defence, energy, science and technology, connectivity and cultural exchanges.