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

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on boosting cooperation in the defence, energy and technology sectors. The meeting comes ahead of the BRICS summit, which India is hosting as the current chair, and is expected to explore topics of strategic importance to both nations. The summit, which will run for two days, will also see the participation of other international leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Putin will address the Plenary Session of the annual BRICS Business Forum and will also visit the Innoprom exhibition with PM Modi. The Russian President will hold bilateral meetings with PM Modi and will also meet with other leaders on the sidelines of the summit. The meeting is seen as an opportunity for India and Russia to strengthen their ties and cooperate on key issues. The two leaders last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek last week, where PM Modi urged Putin to shift from an 'endless war' to the 'end of war'. Putin will also meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday. The meeting is expected to discuss topics including defence projects such as BrahMos missile upgrades, as well as India's plan to set up new civil nuclear reactors. The BRICS summit is guided by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'. The summit will also see the participation of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.