Modi-Putin Meet at BRICS: Trade Target of $100 Billion by 2030 and Tirukkural Gift

India-Russia Relationship and BRICS Summit: Gurjit Singh, Sandeep Unnithan, Deepanshu MohanAhead of the high-stakes bilateral meeting between India and Russia at Bharat Mandapam, a panel of experts analysed key diplomatic, economic, and strategic dimensions. Former Ambassador to Germany Gurjit Singh highlighted the dynamics of energy dependency, remarking that 'it is only oil trade which makes the difference' while urging diplomatic engagement on Iranian oil disruptions. Sandeep Unnithan evaluated decades of bilateral defence collaboration, pointing to joint hardware acquisitions, nuclear-powered attack submarines, and the economic fallout of crude oil crossing $100 a barrel amid US pressure. Professor Deepanshu Mohan focused on the BRICS framework, the New Development Bank's role in local currency bond issuance, and the critical importance of digital commerce, MSMEs, and alternative supply chains to uphold India's strategic autonomy.