The meeting comes as India-Russia ties remain anchored in a long-standing strategic partnership, even as New Delhi faces US pressure over its purchases of Russian oil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 11 on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with defence, trade and economic cooperation expected to feature in the talks.
The growth in oil trade has also transformed the scale of bilateral commerce. Peskov also said the proposed sale of Russia’s Su-57 fighter aircraft to India would be on the agenda. Reuters reported this month that Russia-India trade had reached a record $70 billion in 2024, tripling from the start of the Ukraine conflict. Trade declined in 2025 as sanctions tightened but recovered in the first half of 2026.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the bilateral meeting, saying the two leaders would “first touch on the bilateral agenda”.
India has not officially announced a decision to acquire the aircraft, although the Indian Air Force has shown interest in the Russian proposal. Payment mechanisms have also adapted to sanctions. Putin, meanwhile, has backed India against such pressure. The final approval will depend on cost negotiations and clearance from the finance ministry and Cabinet Committee on Security.
Roubles and rupees now account for 96% of bilateral trade, with 22 Russian and 17 Indian banks servicing transactions, according to Reuters . The S-400 air defence system is a recent example. India is moving ahead with negotiations for five additional systems, with Russia sending a cost proposal, HT reported on September 5. The Su-57 could add another dimension.
In June, he said: “The US is trying to pressure India, including over cooperation with Russia, but it will resist such efforts. Peskov said its sale to India would be discussed during the Modi-Putin meeting.
