Putin Aide Maxim Oreshkin to Lead Russian Delegation at India AI Summit Amid Trump's Russian Oil Claims

Published By DPRJ Universal | Published on Monday, 16 February 2026

Maxim Oreshkin, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will lead a Russian delegation to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, focusing on secure and sovereign AI collaboration, including governance and partnerships within BRICS. His visit coincides with unverified claims by former US President Donald Trump that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil as part of a US trade deal, a claim neither confirmed nor denied by the Indian government, which maintains oil purchase decisions are based on market factors.

Maxim Oreshkin, a key senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the deputy chief of the Kremlin staff, is set to lead a substantial Russian delegation to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, scheduled from February 16 to 20. The summit aims to foster collaboration on secure, trusted, and sovereign artificial intelligence, engaging in critical discussions on AI governance, technology, and strategic partnerships, particularly within the BRICS framework. This initiative underscores a significant push for AI cooperation between India and Russia, reflecting shared interests in ICT security and the global establishment of AI norms. Oreshkin's distinguished career includes a background in finance with roles at the Central Bank of Russia, Rosbank, and VTB Capital, before transitioning into prominent government positions such as Deputy Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Development. He was appointed as an aide to President Putin in 2020 and became Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office in 2024.His arrival in India is also set against the backdrop of former US President Donald Trump's recent claims that India would cease purchasing Russian oil as part of a trade agreement with the United States. While the India-US trade deal is yet to be finalized and Trump's assertion remains unconfirmed by the Indian government, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar highlighted that oil companies globally make purchasing decisions based on availability, costs, and risks, prioritizing their best interests. Oreshkin's visit, therefore, carries notable implications across both technological and geopolitical landscapes.