Modi Holds Talks With Putin, Gifts Russian Thirukkural Translation
India-Russia Talks Focus On Trade, Defence, Energy And Critical Minerals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the celebrated classical Tamil work by poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS Summit.
Modi described the gift as an effort to take Thiruvalluvar's timeless message of wisdom beyond linguistic and geographical boundaries.
"Presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, which carries the eternal wisdom of the great Thiruvalluvar across languages and borders," Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also shared a short video of the meeting, showing the two leaders warmly shaking hands after Modi presented the book to Putin.
The meeting at Bharat Mandapam came a day before the BRICS Summit, which India is hosting in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. Putin arrived in the national capital earlier on Friday on a three-day visit to attend the summit.
The Russian translation presented to Putin features an image of Thiruvalluvar on its cover and is part of the "Ancient Tamil Classics in Translation Series -- Text Transliteration and Translation".
The Thirukkural, regarded as one of the most influential works of Tamil literature, contains teachings on a wide range of subjects, including ethics, governance, social conduct, family life, agriculture and human values.
Modi had highlighted the work's references to agriculture and farmers while addressing a gathering during the Pongal celebrations in New Delhi in January 2026.
Beyond the symbolic exchange, the Modi-Putin meeting is expected to cover a broad range of strategic and economic issues. The two sides are looking at ways to increase annual bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 and deepen cooperation in defence, energy, critical minerals and other sectors.
Defence cooperation is likely to remain a key area of discussion. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had said the two countries were exploring upgrades to BrahMos missiles, while Russia remained committed to completing pending deliveries of S-400 air defence systems. Discussions on the possible supply of Su-57 fighter jets are also expected.
Energy cooperation is another important component of the bilateral relationship. The two sides are expected to discuss India's plans for new civil nuclear reactors, including cooperation covering the nuclear fuel cycle and life-cycle support.
The leaders may also discuss expanding industrial cooperation, railways and tunnelling projects, strengthening the steel value chain and improving access for Indian exporters to the Russian market. Cooperation in critical minerals and increasing opportunities for skilled Indian workers in Russia are also expected to figure in the talks.
The Ukraine conflict and efforts toward a possible peace roadmap are likely to be another major subject. Modi and Putin had met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek last week, when the prime minister called for an immediate end to the conflict and urged Putin to move from an "endless war towards the end of war".
The latest meeting comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts, including those involving the Trump administration, to find a pathway toward ending the Ukraine conflict.