Putin Departs Delhi After BRICS Summit, Cites 30,000+ Russia Sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin departed New Delhi on Sunday, concluding his visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit. During his two-day stay, Putin participated in various BRICS sessions, visited the Bharat Innovates exhibition, and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen India-Russia ties.

Putin addressed the BRICS Business Forum Leaders’ Session, where he criticized the use of economic and diplomatic pressure as a tool of state-level interference. He claimed that Russia has been subjected to more than 30,000 sanctions, which is twice the number of sanctions imposed on all other countries combined.

The Russian President also criticized what he called “ugly” competitive practices, warning against the use of economic coercion in international trade. On the sidelines of the summit, Modi and Putin held bilateral talks focused on expanding economic and strategic cooperation. They discussed the implementation of the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030, along with cooperation in infrastructure, energy, technology, defence, and culture.

The meeting between Modi and Putin came less than two weeks after their previous interaction on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on August 31. Modi expressed his delight at meeting President Putin in Delhi, stating that the talks focused on closer trade ties and wider cooperation.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi and Putin also exchanged views on major regional and global developments, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region. These conflicts have affected maritime trade as well as the safety and security of Indian seafarers. Modi reiterated India's position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward for resolving conflicts and said New Delhi was ready to contribute to peace efforts.

The BRICS Summit 2026, hosted by India under its 2026 chairship, saw the participation of several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. Putin's departure followed the conclusion of the two-day summit, with Xi and Abiy also leaving the national capital earlier on Sunday.

The BRICS Summit aimed to strengthen cooperation among member countries in various fields, including economy, trade, and security. The summit also provided a platform for member countries to discuss regional and global issues, including conflicts and economic sanctions.

In the context of the current global scenario, the BRICS Summit holds significant importance. The grouping of BRICS countries, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, accounts for a substantial portion of the world's population and economic output. The cooperation among these countries can have a significant impact on global trade, economy, and security.

The visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India and his participation in the BRICS Summit highlights the growing importance of India-Russia ties. The two countries have been strengthening their cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, and defence. The discussion between Modi and Putin on closer trade ties and wider cooperation is expected to further boost the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

In conclusion, the departure of Russian President Vladimir Putin from Delhi after the BRICS Summit marks the end of a significant event in the global diplomatic calendar. The summit provided a platform for member countries to discuss regional and global issues, and the cooperation among these countries can have a significant impact on global trade, economy, and security. The growing importance of India-Russia ties and the discussion between Modi and Putin on closer trade ties and wider cooperation are expected to further boost the bilateral relationship between the two countries.