Russia and South Africa review bilateral cooperation as the two leaders meet during the 18th BRICS Summit in the Indian capital.
NEW DELHI INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 : Russian President Vladimir Putin met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in New Delhi on September 11 on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, bringing the two leaders together for discussions on bilateral relations and wider international cooperation.
The meeting took place as India hosted the BRICS leaders in the national capital, providing Russia and South Africa an opportunity to review their longstanding partnership within the broader framework of cooperation among emerging economies.
Russia and South Africa maintain close political ties and regularly coordinate through BRICS and other international forums. Their relationship covers areas including trade, investment, energy, science and technology, education and people-to-people exchanges.
BRICS Partnership
The Putin-Ramaphosa meeting assumes significance as South Africa remains an important member of BRICS and Russia continues to play a major role in the grouping.
Both countries have supported greater representation for developing and emerging economies in international institutions and have advocated stronger cooperation among countries of the Global South.
The New Delhi summit has provided additional space for Moscow and Pretoria to discuss their shared interests while also addressing broader international developments.
Focus on Bilateral Cooperation
The two countries have been working to expand economic engagement alongside their political relationship. Trade and investment, energy cooperation, industrial partnerships and agricultural links remain areas with potential for further growth.
South Africa is also an important gateway to the wider African market, while Russia has sought to deepen its economic and diplomatic engagement across the continent.
The leaders’ meeting therefore carries significance not only for bilateral relations but also for Moscow’s wider engagement with Africa.
Wider Global South Engagement
The meeting came amid an intensive series of bilateral discussions between BRICS leaders in New Delhi.
India’s 2026 BRICS chairship has brought together countries from different regions to discuss economic cooperation, global governance, development, trade and other international priorities.
For Russia and South Africa, the BRICS platform provides an avenue to coordinate positions while strengthening practical cooperation between their two countries.
The Putin-Ramaphosa engagement thus added another important bilateral dimension to the New Delhi summit, highlighting the continuing role of BRICS as a platform for both multilateral dialogue and direct diplomatic engagement.
INDIA ; GTNS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 | NEW DELHI