Modi and Putin to Discuss Su-57 Deal During BRICS Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, September 11, during the BRICS Summit taking place in New Delhi. The announcement was made by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who stated that the leaders will address various bilateral issues, including the potential sale of Su-57 aircraft to India.

The 18th BRICS Summit is set to occur at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. India assumed the presidency of the BRICS group on January 1, marking its fourth time in the leadership role.

Peskov emphasised the significance of the talks, noting that they will likely encompass discussions on trade and economic cooperation as well. The Indian government has yet to publicly respond to the remarks regarding the aircraft sale.

In addition to the Su-57 discussions, the meeting will touch upon the United States' proposed tariffs on countries purchasing Russian crude oil. Peskov described this action as "illegal and unacceptable."

The BRICS Summit will convene leaders from a range of member countries and invited officials. The core group includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia being added as a full member in 2025. In addition to the core members, ten partner countries are also part of the BRICS framework, including Belarus, Bolivia, and Vietnam, among others.

Prime Minister Modi is set to host the summit, with President Putin's attendance confirmed. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected, marking his first visit to India since a meeting with Modi in Mamallapuram in 2019. Other notable attendees include South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and various other leaders from member and partner countries.

Modi and Putin's last face-to-face interaction occurred at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. During their meetings, Modi has consistently addressed the conflict in Ukraine, urging for a peaceful resolution.

In previous remarks, Modi stated, “Every day spent perpetuating war pushes humanity backwards, and every step taken towards peace fills the whole of humanity with new hope and enthusiasm.” He reiterated India's commitment to supporting peace initiatives, highlighting the importance of dialogue and negotiation for global stability. The upcoming discussions with Putin will continue this trend, focusing on diplomatic solutions to ongoing conflicts.