PM Modi to Hold Bilateral Talks with Putin in Kazan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin just two hours after his arrival in Kazan for the BRICS summit. This will mark the second meeting between the two leaders in five months, following Modi's official visit to Russia in July 2024.

During that visit, the leaders co-chaired the India-Russia annual meeting, discussing bilateral issues as well as the Ukraine conflict. At the time, Modi emphasized to Putin that war is not the solution to problems and assured his personal efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war.

Modi is also expected to meet other leaders attending the BRICS summit, including Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. These meetings could signal a positive shift in relations, particularly with Turkey, after Erdogan refrained from raising the Kashmir issue at this year’s UN General Assembly, seen as a constructive gesture towards India.

Meanwhile, the White House commented on the BRICS summit, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noting that the group is not seen as a geopolitical rival, and the U.S. will continue to work with BRICS members like India, South Africa, and Brazil. The BRICS summit will be held on October 22-23 in Kazan under Russia’s chairmanship.