Modi and Putin Want to Secure a $100bn Deal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a meeting in New Delhi on Friday to further strengthen their strategic partnership in energy, defense and trade. It was their second meeting in two weeks, held on the eve of the BRICS leaders' summit, which was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The leaders discussed conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea, with Modi emphasizing the need to resolve crises through dialogue and diplomacy.

India's balanced foreign policy seeks to maintain equilibrium in its relations with Russia, the US, Arab states and Iran. India continues to resist Western pressure to restrict trade with Russia, citing its energy needs.

In July, Russian oil accounted for a record 51% of India's imports, largely due to supply disruptions from the Middle East.

Both countries also took part in a joint industrial trade fair focused on technology, nuclear science and aviation. Their goal remains to increase bilateral trade to $100bn by 2030.

(Reuters, max)