During their call, Modi and Putin reviewed existing bilateral agreements and discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine. The invitation follows a series of new cooperation deals signed in St. Petersburg this week, covering aerospace science, technology development, rare earth minerals, aluminum, fertilizers, and railway transport.

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also met Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting, underscoring the strategic depth of the relationship. New Delhi views the annual summit as a cornerstone of its partnership with Moscow.

The U.S. decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports—placing India alongside Brazil at the top of the tariff list—has heightened trade tensions. Trump accused India’s economy of being “dead” and its tariff regime “obnoxious,” remarks that further strained bilateral talks, which had been nearing a trade agreement.

In response, Modi spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to coordinate positions against unilateral U.S. trade measures and to explore deeper South-South cooperation.