India and Russia are meeting again, and defence is at the very top of the agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are sitting down for high-stakes bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi. This isn't just standard diplomatic handshaking. Both capitals are tackling heavy issues ranging from advanced missile technology and fighter jets to the sensitive repatriation of Indian nationals caught up in the Ukraine conflict.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made it clear that military-technical cooperation has evolved past a basic buyer-seller transaction. New Delhi and Moscow are now looking closely at upgrading the jointly produced BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. They want to inject new capabilities into the weapon, making it more competitive and deadly on the global export market.
The BrahMos Upgrade and Advanced Tech Transfers
The BrahMos missile program remains one of the most successful joint ventures between India and Russia. But modern warfare moves fast. Both sides recognize that the current iteration needs fresh upgrades to maintain its edge.
Beyond missiles, the agenda features heavy-hitting military hardware. Moscow is working to fulfill the remaining deliveries of the S-400 air defense systems under the landmark $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018. Russia is also pushing its fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet to India, offering unprecedented technology transfer options that traditional suppliers rarely put on the table.
India's arms imports have diversified over recent years toward Western nations like France and the US, but Russian hardware remains deeply embedded in the Indian military architecture. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data shows Russia accounted for roughly 40 percent of India's major arms imports between 2021 and 2025. That number is down from previous decades, but the strategic dependency on heavy maintenance, aero-engine overhauls, and joint development remains strong.
Bringing Indian Nationals Home
Military hardware isn't the only critical topic on the table. Human lives are heavily factored into these diplomatic discussions. New Delhi has been pressing Moscow hard regarding Indian nationals working in support roles—such as cooks and helpers—within the Russian military.
Recent official figures note that around two dozen Indians remain active or stranded in these roles, with dozens tragically losing their lives since the conflict escalated. During virtual briefings ahead of the summit, Peskov confirmed that Russia is actively identifying these citizens to ensure they return home safely.
Balancing Diplomacy and Trade
Trade imbalances and peace efforts are also driving the conversation. Russia has publicly welcomed India's diplomatic push toward ending the Ukraine conflict through dialogue. Meanwhile, both nations are figuring out how to balance trade deficits using national currencies, slowly resolving accumulated rupee payment issues.
The relationship is pivoting toward a mature partnership where strategic autonomy meets pragmatic cooperation. As New Delhi hosts world leaders, the outcome of these talks will shape regional security for years.
BRICS 2026: S-400, Su-57 Tech Transfer, BrahMos Upgrade To Be In Focus At Modi-Putin Meet
This video provides an in-depth look at the major defence components and technology transfers discussed during the Modi-Putin summit.
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