Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Thursday, on the eve of the BRICS summit being held at Bharat Mandapam. Modi warmly welcomed Putin with an embrace and presented him a copy of the Tirukkural, often described as a universal classic.
The BRICS grouping includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and has expanded to include Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Ethiopia and Egypt. Leaders from member countries have been arriving in the national capital for the summit.
During their talks at Bharat Mandapam, the two leaders discussed ways to deepen cooperation across sectors including the economy, defence, energy, space, trade, rare minerals and investment. They also reviewed regional conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, which have impacted maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.
The leaders discussed the goal of raising bilateral trade to Rs 9.55 lakh crore by 2030. Defence-related issues, including the supply of the S-400 air defence system and Sukhoi-57 fighter aircraft, were also taken up, with Russia assuring early delivery.
This was the second meeting between Modi and Putin in two weeks. They had previously met on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
