Tianjin: Just moments before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, the United States sent a clear diplomatic signal to New Delhi. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the India-US partnership as a “defining relationship of the 21st century,” underlining the enduring strategic, economic, and people-to-people ties between the two democracies. The US Embassy highlighted Rubio’s statement, emphasizing innovation, entrepreneurship, defense cooperation, and the longstanding friendship between the nations. The tweet from Rubio came just minutes before PM Modi’s bilateral meeting with President Putin, drawing attention to the nuanced balance India maintains in its Eurasian and transatlantic engagements.
The remarks carry added significance as India navigates a delicate geopolitical landscape, hosting discussions with Russia and China at the SCO summit while facing a US trade confrontation. President Donald Trump recently imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports, following New Delhi’s decision to continue importing Russian oil a move India describes as essential for energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. New Delhi has repeatedly called the tariffs “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” affirming that it will protect its national interests while maintaining strategic autonomy.
The summit provided a visual testament to India’s diplomatic finesse. PM Modi, Russian President Putin, and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping were captured exchanging smiles, hugs, and handshakes, projecting camaraderie amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Observers noted Modi and Putin walking together toward the bilateral venue, signaling that US pressures would not disrupt India’s longstanding ties with Moscow. The trio later engaged in an animated discussion with Xi, leaving international watchers speculating on the substance, while the leaders relaxed body language suggested a confident handling of multilateral and bilateral dynamics.
In a diplomatic victory for India, the SCO member states strongly condemned the April Pahalgam terror attack, echoing Prime Minister Modi’s insistence that “double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable.” Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present, and the joint declaration underscoring India’s position is being hailed as a major geopolitical win. The statement also took aim at broader regional aggressions, criticizing the June military strikes by Israel and the US against Iran, particularly targeting civilian sites and nuclear infrastructure. The SCO communiqué described such actions as “gross violations of international law and UN principles,” stressing their threat to regional and global stability.
India’s careful balancing act at the SCO maintaining ties with Russia and China while signaling continued alignment with the US illustrates the country’s growing role as a strategic pivot in Eurasian and global geopolitics. The Modi government’s ability to secure SCO support on terrorism while navigating US trade pressures underscores New Delhi’s commitment to protecting its national interests without compromising on global partnerships.