- By Priyanka Koul
- Tue, 19 May 2026 04:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit 2026, set to be held on September 12-13, Kremlin aide Yury Viktorovich Ushakov, Putin’s primary adviser on international affairs confirmed on Tuesday.
The visit will mark Putin’s second trip to India within a year. The Russian President had earlier travelled to New Delhi in December last year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, during which he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on deepening bilateral cooperation.
India is hosting the BRICS Summit this year as part of its 2026 chairmanship of the grouping. Several meetings and events linked to India’s BRICS presidency are being organised across the country. The 17th BRICS Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6-7, 2025, under the theme “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.
Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited India to participate in the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. During the visit, Lavrov also met Prime Minister Modi and discussed a range of regional and international developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.
Why Is Russia Important To India?
Russia remains one of India’s closest strategic partners, with ties spanning defence, energy, trade, and foreign policy coordination. Despite India’s growing engagement with Western nations, Moscow continues to play a vital role in New Delhi’s long-term geopolitical and security calculations.
A major reason behind Russia’s importance is its deep involvement in India’s defence sector. Most portion of the Indian Armed Forces’ equipment is of Russian origin, including key systems such as the S-400 air defence system, Sukhoi fighter aircraft, and the jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. Russia has long been a major supplier of military hardware and defence technology to India.
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What Is BRICS Summit?
BRICS is a major influential intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bloc was formed to strengthen economic, political, and strategic cooperation among emerging economies and to push for reforms in global governance institutions.
Over the years, BRICS has expanded its footprint with the inclusion of countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, increasing its influence across Africa and West Asia. The grouping represents a large share of the global population and economy.