New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks here at Bharat Mandapam on Friday, a day ahead of BRICS Summit 2026. It is Putin's first in-person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

Trade, industrial cooperation, nuclear energy, skilled labour, critical minerals and fertilisers were expected to be in focus during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as India and Russia look to deepen their economic partnership.

At the centre of the talks was an ambitious $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030, signalling the two sides' intent to significantly expand economic tie...