PM Modi-Putin Meeting at SCO Summit: India-Russia Ties in Focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek after his August 29–30 visit to Uzbekistan. Bilateral ties, trade, energy and regional developments are expected to figure prominently.

Putin Meeting Confirmed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed.

The meeting will take place during Modi's four-day visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1, 2026. MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the two leaders are expected to review the entire gamut of India-Russia bilateral relations.

Modi Begins With Uzbekistan

Modi will begin his trip with a state visit to Tashkent on August 29–30 at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

During the Uzbekistan leg, the two leaders are expected to review cooperation in trade and investment, defence, digital connectivity, energy, education and people-to-people ties. They will also discuss priorities linked to India's Viksit Bharat 2047 and Uzbekistan's development vision.

SCO Summit In Bishkek

Modi will travel from Tashkent to Bishkek, where he will participate in the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1.

The summit marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO, with India having been a full member of the grouping since 2017. Modi is expected to highlight India's priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity during his address.

He is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games during his Kyrgyzstan visit.

Trade And Energy Focus

The Modi-Putin meeting comes at a significant point in India-Russia economic relations. Trade, energy and fertiliser supplies are expected to remain important areas of discussion.

Putin recently told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that Moscow was giving priority to cooperation with India in areas including energy, fertilisers, nuclear energy and high technology. Jaishankar also conveyed Modi's message that the Prime Minister looked forward to meeting Putin at the SCO Summit.

Strategic Partnership Review

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to take stock of the broader India-Russia strategic partnership following the recent meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission in Moscow.

Both sides have been working to expand trade and economic cooperation. Bilateral trade, energy security, fertiliser supplies and high-technology cooperation are likely to remain among the practical priorities.

Regional Issues On Table

Beyond bilateral matters, Modi and Putin are expected to exchange views on regional and international developments. The SCO summit will bring together leaders from major Eurasian countries at a time of significant geopolitical and economic shifts.

The MEA has said the two leaders will review the broader bilateral relationship, while other regional and global issues are also expected to form part of the discussions.

Another Meeting Ahead

The Bishkek meeting is also significant because the two leaders are expected to have further high-level engagement later this year.

Jaishankar recently told Putin that Modi looked forward to welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and to holding the annual India-Russia summit in due course.

The upcoming SCO meeting will therefore serve as an important checkpoint for India-Russia ties, particularly on economic cooperation, energy security and the wider strategic partnership.

For New Delhi, the meeting also underlines the importance of maintaining close engagement with Moscow while pursuing India's broader diplomatic and economic interests across Central Asia and the wider Eurasian region.