New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Friday, September 11, ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit and his scheduled bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes just days after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed Putin’s arrival, describing India-Russia relations as a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” marked by longstanding and multifaceted cooperation.
Putin’s visit comes against the backdrop of expanding India-Russia cooperation in several strategic sectors, with civil aviation and aircraft manufacturing emerging as a new area of focus.
#BREAKING | Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi to participate in the 18th BRICS Summit.
Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh receives President Putin at the airport.
During his visit, President Putin is scheduled to hold talks with… pic.twitter.com/lsnO9ouINf
— DD News (@DDNewslive) September 10, 2026
Russia pushes for aircraft manufacturing in India
India and Russia are moving towards deeper cooperation in civil aviation, including the possibility of manufacturing Russian passenger aircraft in India.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said on Thursday that discussions with Russia have expanded around the joint production of the IL-114-300 turboprop and the SJ-100 regional jet in India.
Naidu said the two aircraft could play an important role in India’s growing regional connectivity requirements, particularly as more airports are being developed across the country.
“Buyer-seller” ties could therefore evolve into a broader manufacturing partnership, with India seeking greater localisation and Russia looking to establish a stronger presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.
The discussions are particularly significant because India-Russia aerospace cooperation has traditionally been dominated by defence programmes. The proposed civil aviation partnership could broaden that relationship into commercial aircraft, regional connectivity, manufacturing and aviation services.
105 Russian regional aircraft proposed for Indian operators
Alongside manufacturing discussions, Russian aircraft maker United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has signed preliminary agreements and memoranda involving the potential supply of 105 IL-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft to Indian operators.
The arrangements include 50 aircraft for Pinnacle Air, up to 20 for Air Kerala and 35 for Sleek Aviation. The agreement with Sleek Aviation also envisages establishing a training centre equipped with a full-flight simulator.
These are preliminary arrangements rather than final firm purchase orders, and their implementation will depend on subsequent commercial agreements and regulatory processes.
The IL-114-300 is being positioned as a regional aircraft suited to India’s expanding network of smaller cities and emerging airports. Russia has been showcasing the aircraft as part of a broader effort to enter India’s rapidly expanding regional aviation market.
Russia’s UAC displayed the IL-114-300, SJ-100 and MC-21 at the Innoprom India exhibition in New Delhi, which brought together more than 120 Russian and Indian companies.
SJ-100 manufacturing plan gathers pace
The proposed Indian production of the SJ-100 could prove even more significant for India’s aviation ambitions.
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russia’s UAC have already moved towards licensed joint production of the regional jet. Recent reports indicate that discussions on local production have progressed substantially.
The aircraft, formerly known as the Sukhoi Superjet 100, is designed for short-haul and regional operations. Its proposed production in India could provide the country with additional experience in commercial aircraft manufacturing while supporting the government’s wider push to build a domestic aerospace ecosystem.
The project also fits India’s ambition to move beyond assembling or importing aircraft towards developing capabilities across manufacturing, maintenance, training and aerospace supply chains.
Putin-Modi talks likely to cover wider strategic partnership
Putin’s meeting with Modi is expected to provide an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, defence, energy, technology and transportation.
The two leaders had already reviewed bilateral cooperation during their recent meeting in Bishkek, including political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.
They also discussed regional and global developments, including conflicts affecting the wider region and maritime trade. Modi reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to resolving conflicts.
The upcoming meeting in New Delhi is therefore expected to build on that engagement while giving particular attention to economic cooperation and emerging areas such as civil aviation.
India hosts 18th BRICS Summit
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, under its 2026 BRICS chairship.
India’s presidency is being conducted under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The expanded BRICS grouping now consists of 11 countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The grouping represents a substantial share of the world’s population and economy, giving the New Delhi summit considerable geopolitical and economic significance.
The summit is taking place amid heightened international tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and continuing geopolitical competition involving major powers. The expanded grouping’s ability to reach consensus on global economic and geopolitical issues will be closely watched.
Aviation emerges as a new pillar of India-Russia ties
The developments surrounding the IL-114-300 and SJ-100 indicate that India-Russia relations could be entering a new phase in civil aerospace.
For Russia, India offers a large and growing aviation market at a time when Moscow is seeking new international opportunities for its aircraft industry. For India, cooperation could support regional connectivity while helping build domestic aircraft manufacturing capabilities.
