BRICS Summit 2026: China's Xi to meet Modi today

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, engaging in a 45-minute discussion during the BRICS summit. On Saturday, Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. The bilateral with Xi is particularly significant, given the history of geopolitical, economic, and military tensions between the two nations. Modi's schedule includes meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, and Vietnam as well.

The trade deficit between India and China has increased from $11 billion in 2019 to over $112 billion currently. Discussions between Modi and Xi will likely focus on this issue, as well as the strategic economic dialogue to address related concerns like Indian companies' access to Chinese markets and recent talks on border issues. The two leaders are expected to review progress on the $100 billion trade target by 2030.

The meeting between Modi and Putin centered on defense and energy ties, as well as the goal of increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. Putin highlighted Russia's commitment to global energy and food security, as well as the development of reliable logistics routes, such as the Arctic Transport Corridor.

The India-Russia defense discussions covered potential upgrades to the BrahMos missile system, remaining S-400 deliveries, and a possible Su-57 fighter supply, indicating Russia's ongoing importance to India's defense sector. Both sides expanded civil nuclear cooperation, discussing additional reactors and broader collaboration in the nuclear fuel cycle and life-cycle support, while maintaining discounted Russian oil flows that support India's energy security.

During their talks, Modi and Putin addressed conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region, discussing the safety of Indian seafarers and the impact on maritime trade and sea lanes. As chair of BRICS for 2026, India aims to promote practical cooperation in trade, finance, energy, critical minerals, and supply chains, seeking Russian support for this agenda.

The Modi–Xi bilateral meeting in India this weekend marks the first such encounter in seven years, signaling a high-stakes test of whether the cautious thaw since Kazan can progress beyond border disengagement to broader stabilization.