Modi, Putin hold talks in New Delhi on trade, defence

New Delhi, Sept 11 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin began talks in the Indian capital on Friday, their second meeting in two weeks, as both sides seek to deepen bilateral ties. Government officials said the discussions were expected to focus on expanding trade, energy cooperation and defence ties between India and Russia, with an emphasis on broadening cooperation across commerce, energy security and defence industrial links. The talks reflect New Delhi’s ongoing strategy to strengthen strategic partnerships with major powers while pursuing diversification of energy sources, manufacturing capabilities and technology collaboration. Modi and Putin have a long-standing history of cooperation in defence procurement and energy projects, and the current meetings signal a continued push to advance practical cooperation across sectors that underpin the bilateral relationship. Observers note that the talks occur amid broader global shifts, with India aiming to bolster energy security and manufacturing capacity, and Russia seeking to broaden its footprint in Asia. While no formal announcements were immediately reported, officials described the discussions as setting the stage for future agreements and deeper collaboration in trade, energy and defence domains.