India, Sept. 12 -- Modi-Putin meeting sets the tone for BRICS weekend, balancing strategic cooperation with appeal for peace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underlined that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only way to resolve conflicts and achieve lasting peace, as he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

Putin, who is in India on a three-day visit for the BRICS summit, held extensive bilateral discussions with Modi on political ties, trade and economic cooperation, defence, energy, space, skill development and people-to-people relations. The two leaders exchanged a warm embrace before beginning their talks.

The meeting came less than two weeks after the two leaders met on...