BRICS Summit 2026: Putin arrives in Delhi, will hold important talks with PM Modi on defense and strategic issues…
BRICS Summit 2026: Putin arrives in Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi early Friday morning to participate in the BRICS Summit 2026. He was welcomed at Palam Airport by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. Following Putin’s arrival in India, all eyes are now on his crucial bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to discuss a number of important issues, including defense cooperation, trade, economic relations, and energy. The Ministry of External Affairs has underscored the long-standing and strong relationship between India and Russia. Welcoming Putin in a social media post, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the partnership between the two countries as multifaceted and long-term. Issues such as strategic trade, cross-border payment systems, and energy security are also expected to be central to Putin’s visit. The two sides are also expected to discuss ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and West Asia. According to the Kremlin, Putin will address the plenary session of the BRICS Business Forum on September 11th. This forum brings together leading business representatives from BRICS countries. He will then hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Putin’s program also includes a visit to the “Innoprom India” industrial trade fair, organized by the Ministries of Industry and Trade of Russia and India. The BRICS summit, chaired by India, is expected to discuss issues such as trade, digital technology, finance, energy security, and reforms in global governance. Topics such as strong global supply chains, trade in national currencies, cross-border payment systems, MSME development, and artificial intelligence will also be high on the agenda. Member countries are also expected to discuss climate change, development finance, and the expansion of the New Development Bank.
India Bolsters Iran Ties with Vishwesh Negi’s Appointment as Ambassador
Amid the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, significant news has emerged regarding India’s ties with Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs has appointed Vishwesh Negi as India’s new ambassador to Iran. A 2002-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Negi currently serves as a Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi. According to the Ministry, the new ambassador is expected to assume his diplomatic responsibilities in Tehran soon. Negi will take up this role at a time when strategic and trade relations between India and Iran are at a critical juncture. This development comes amidst heightened tensions. India has reiterated its concerns regarding the safety of commercial shipping routes and seafarers—particularly in the Strait of Hormuz—while advocating for dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve the current crisis. Prior to Negi’s appointment, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi last Friday. During the conversation, he emphasized that there must be no attacks on commercial shipping or seafarers under any circumstances. The two leaders also discussed the evolving security situation in the region. Subsequently, Jaishankar posted on X, stating that he had conveyed India’s deep concern over the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and reiterated New Delhi’s support for dialogue and diplomacy. He stated, “Spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening; expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflicts in the region. Emphasized that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers must not occur under any circumstances. India condemns any such attacks by any party. Was apprised of Iran’s perspective on current developments and ongoing discussions. India always supports dialogue and diplomacy.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump tweeted on X that talks with Iran—expected to take place through intermediaries—are set to begin on Monday. Similarly, Iranian state media has reported that talks between Iran and Oman regarding a joint operational mechanism to control the maritime corridor are in the final stages.
PM Modi and President Macron Expand UPI in France…
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Emmanuel Macron in Nice, France, where the two leaders jointly inaugurated the “India Innovates” program, which aims to connect startups from India, France, and other countries. President Macron also welcomed PM Modi. This program will bring together leading innovation startups and venture capital funds from India, France, and other countries. Prime Minister Modi also stated that while different countries in the world trade with each other, there are also policy partnerships between different countries, but some relationships are driven by shared interests as well as shared passions. He described the relationship between India and France as one of strong trust, innovation, inspiration, shared values, and a shared vision. He emphasized the strength of this relationship, highlighting the strong trust, innovation, inspiration, shared values, and shared vision that have been the foundation of these initiatives over the years, and they have striven to find solutions to global challenges. He also expressed his happiness at the collaboration between the two countries and the launch of India Innovates. Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held bilateral talks during which the two leaders discussed key issues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the talks focused on areas such as artificial intelligence, startups, trade, infrastructure, mobility, and health. The two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen it, discussing innovation, investment, security, culture, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron sealed the deal. Following the meeting, payments using the UPI payment app will now be available in France. Countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Combodia, Mauritius, Qatar, UAE, Singapore and Nepal have already adopted this payment system. France is the first European country to adopt India’s digital payment system, allowing Indian tourists to make payments directly in rupees by scanning a QR code in France. Modi led India’s financial sector to reach global prominence. During his visit to Paris in July 2023, he announced the bilateral agreement. In January 2024, PM Modi hosted the French President in Jaipur, where the President demonstrated the system live by purchasing tea and local handicrafts using UPI. Recently, at the India Innovates 2026 conference in France, PM Modi and the President met, and an agreement was reached to expand UPI to more French transport hubs and cities. Using UPI, Indian tourists can purchase tickets in rupees directly by scanning a QR code at ticket counters online. This world-renowned luxury shopping mall in Paris will also accept merchant UPI payments for Indian tourists. The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that the meeting yielded concrete results in several areas, particularly in the areas of AI, science, space, and startups. Before departing, Prime Minister Modi stated that the relationship holds a special place in the strategic vision of France and India, and during this visit, he will also participate in the G-7 summit and meet with several global leaders, including US President Trump. It is being told that Prime Minister Modi has left France for his visit to Slovakia and during this visit, India-Slovakia relations are expected to become stronger in the field of trade, investment, innovation and strategic cooperation.