Modi, Putin agree to strengthen India-Russia partnership on eve of BRICS summit - Reuters

**Modi, Putin Agree to Deepen India‑Russia Ties on Eve of BRICS Summit**

New Delhi – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the outskirts of the capital on Tuesday for a bilateral session that concluded with a joint declaration to “strengthen the strategic partnership” between the two countries. The talks, held a day before the opening of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, covered a broad agenda that included defence cooperation, energy security, and technology sharing. Both leaders underscored the “mutual trust” that has underpinned their relationship for decades and pledged to accelerate joint projects in the areas of nuclear power, renewable energy, and aerospace.

The high‑profile encounter was marked by an unprecedented display of security measures. Modi travelled to the venue in a specially configured “Fortress on Wheels,” a heavily armoured convoy equipped with communications and medical facilities, while Putin arrived on the Russian Air Force’s “Flying Kremlin,” a specially modified Ilyushin‑96 aircraft often described as a “doomsday plane” for its extensive defensive and survivability systems. Observers noted that the aircraft’s reinforced hull, self‑contained power supply and anti‑missile counter‑measures set it apart from standard diplomatic aircraft, highlighting the heightened security protocols surrounding the Russian leader’s overseas visits.

In addition to the broader strategic agenda, Modi raised the safety of Indian nationals working in the Black Sea region, where the ongoing Ukraine conflict has raised concerns for expatriate communities. Putin affirmed Moscow’s willingness to coordinate with New Delhi on maritime security and to provide timely information to protect Indian citizens and assets. Both sides agreed to establish a rapid‑response mechanism to address any incidents that could affect Indian interests, signalling a pragmatic dimension to the partnership amid a volatile geopolitical environment. The meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for coordinated positions at the upcoming BRICS summit, where India and Russia will jointly push for reforms of global financial institutions and greater cooperation among emerging economies.