New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to participate in the BRICS summit scheduled in September in India, Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko Andrey Yurevich said in Colombo.
He added that Moscow would support New Delhi’s efforts to forge a consensus among members. Further, Russia will honor all existing contracts on oil, he said, following Russia’s decision to ban the export of gasoline with effect from April 1, 2026, owing to price fluctuations.
“My President has an invitation from Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi to come to New Delhi, and for the time being, we don’t see any problems which would prevent him from doing so,” he said, while commending India, as BRICS chair, for “doing its best to streamline differences”.
“We need to see what will happen by the time of the summit itself. But so far, we consider this invitation with seriousness,” Rudenko said, citing the “volatile situation” in West Asia.
Commenting on the challenges in building consensus within the 10-nation grouping — which also includes Iran and the United Arab Emirates — the visiting Russian official described BRICS as an entity that brings together countries with different policies and national priorities.
“And while they chose to join it, they want these priorities coordinated in a more systematic way to better protect their interests worldwide. But their national policies sometimes differ radically,” he said.
Further, terming the grouping “quite a flexible organization” that allows each member state to retain “its own voice”, he added that building consensus is difficult when members are “on different sides of the frontline”.
Russia eyes PM Modi's visit in 2026
Russia and India should maintain "regular, systematic" contacts, a top Russian official said, expressing hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Russia at a convenient time this year.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko Andrey Yurevich made the remarks in an interview with the state-run TASS news agency. "It is very important for Russia and India to maintain regular, systematic contacts at various levels," Rudenko said.
"We hope that the Indian prime minister will take advantage of President Vladimir Putin's invitation to pay an official visit to Russia at a convenient time," he added.
Rudeko also said that it is Moscow's turn to host the Russian-Indian Summit this year. Earlier, Russia's President Putin visited India in December 2025, when the summit was held in New Delhi.
