NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide-ranging talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the two sides expected to discuss ways to take bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 and deepen cooperation in defence, energy and critical minerals.
Putin arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day on a three-day visit to attend the BRICS summit.
The discussions between the two leaders are also likely to cover the expansion of longstanding defence cooperation between India and Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had said earlier that Moscow and New Delhi were examining upgrades to the BrahMos missile system. He also said Russia remained committed to completing pending deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems, while discussions were underway over the possible supply of Su-57 fighter jets to India.
Energy cooperation is another key area of the bilateral relationship. According to Peskov, the two countries are also considering negotiations on India’s plans for setting up additional civil nuclear reactors.
The Ukraine conflict and efforts to find a lasting solution are expected to figure prominently in the Modi-Putin discussions.
The two leaders had met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek last week, when Modi called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged Putin to move from an “endless war towards the end of war”.
Fresh diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have gained momentum in recent days, including initiatives by the Trump administration.
Ahead of the talks, Indian sources said achieving the ambitious USD 100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 would be an important focus. The two sides are also expected to explore greater industrial cooperation and expand collaboration in sectors such as railways and tunnelling.
Discussions are likely to cover development of the steel value chain and measures to provide wider access to the Russian market for Indian exporters.
Civil nuclear cooperation, including fuel-cycle and life-cycle support, is also expected to receive attention. The two sides are further likely to discuss increasing opportunities for skilled Indian workers in Russia and strengthening cooperation in critical minerals.