PM Modi, Putin Share Car Ride After Delhi Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a notable car ride after their bilateral meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday. The two leaders travelled together to the India-Russia INNOPROM exhibition at Bharat Mandapam in Putin’s armoured Russian limousine.

The car ride came after a crucial 40-minute bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin, during which the two leaders reaffirmed the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Trade, energy, defence, technology, investment and connectivity were among the key areas discussed.

The joint visit to the exhibition highlighted industrial collaboration between India and Russia, while the BRICS Business Forum focused on trade, investment, innovation, supply chains and economic cooperation among businesses from member countries.

Modi and Putin held their meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where they reviewed the progress of their bilateral partnership and discussed issues of strategic importance. The Russian President, who is on a three-day visit to India for the BRICS Summit, met Modi as Moscow continues to remain one of New Delhi’s key strategic partners.

The two leaders shared a warm hug before beginning their second meeting this year. They had earlier met on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. Modi also gifted Putin the Russian translation of the Thirukkural, written by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.

Putin’s visit marks his first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. He had last visited India in December 2025 for the India-Russia summit. The Russian leader is accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Defence cooperation is expected to be among the key areas discussed by the two leaders, including ongoing and prospective defence projects. During their meeting in Bishkek, Modi had urged Putin to move from an “endless war towards the end of war,” referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that began five years ago following Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

The meeting between Modi and Putin is significant as it comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its ties with Russia, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The two countries have a long history of cooperation in areas such as defence, energy and trade.

The BRICS Summit 2026 is being held in New Delhi, with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa participating. The summit is expected to focus on issues such as trade, investment, innovation and economic cooperation among member countries.

In conclusion, the meeting between Modi and Putin highlights the strong bilateral ties between India and Russia. The two countries are expected to discuss key areas such as trade, defence and energy cooperation, and the meeting is significant in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.