Beijing: In a rare display of camaraderie, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled together in the same car after the SCO Summit proceedings in Tianjin on Monday, engaging in a 45-minute conversation before their bilateral meeting. The gesture, sources say, was initiated by President Putin, who reportedly waited for about ten minutes to ensure he could join PM Modi for the ride.
Sharing the moment on X, PM Modi wrote, “After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful,” along with a photo of the two leaders in the car. The informal yet extended discussion preceded a full bilateral meeting that lasted over an hour at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.
The timing and optics of the joint ride carry diplomatic weight. The US has publicly criticized India’s oil trade with Russia, with former President Donald Trump accusing New Delhi of financially supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine. In retaliation, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian exports to the US, the highest in Asia. Yet India continues its energy imports from Moscow, emphasizing national interests and calling US levies “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
India and Russia have maintained a resilient relationship post-World War II. Since the Ukraine conflict in 2022, India has emerged as one of Russia’s largest oil buyers, even as Western nations imposed price caps on Russian crude. Both nations are now seeking to simplify rupee-ruble trade to reduce dependency on the US dollar amid global financial pressures.
During the summit, President Putin acknowledged India’s efforts in Ukraine peace initiatives, stating appreciation for India and China in conflict resolution. This marked the first in-person meeting between Modi and Putin since October 2024 at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia.
The SCO Summit also saw lighter moments, as PM Modi was photographed sharing relaxed interactions with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Another photo captured the two leaders walking past Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who appeared isolated as Modi and Putin engaged in animated conversation, underscoring the evolving dynamics within the SCO.
PM Modi’s social media posts reflected the warmth of the interaction: “Always a delight to meet President Putin!” The informal discussions, extended travel together, and visible rapport reinforce the growing strategic and personal ties between India and Russia, sending subtle signals on the global stage amid shifting geopolitical pressures.