Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin rode together on Monday from the site of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, to the site of their bilateral sit-down, as they sent a powerful visual message during US President Donald Trump's tariffs directed at New Delhi's oil commerce with Moscow.
"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," PM Modi said in a post on X, sharing his picture with the Russian leader.
Sources informed NDTV that President Putin asked to ride with PM Modi from the SCO location to the bilateral meeting at the Ritz-Carlton hotel and waited about 10 minutes for him to arrive.
"Then both leaders travelled together in his car, conversing on various issues. They spent another 45 minutes in the car even after reaching the bilateral meeting venue. After this, both leaders had a full bilateral meeting which went on for over an hour," they said.
The move is significant as it follows public U.S. criticism of Indian oil buying from Russia, with President Trump charging that New Delhi is financing Putin's conflict in Ukraine. In February, Trump had slapped 50% tariffs on Indian goods being shipped to the US, the highest rate in Asia, citing India's energy buys.
In spite of the pressure, India goes on with its oil business with Moscow, insisting that national interests shape its energy strategies. New Delhi has termed the US tariffs as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable."
India and Russia have had one of the most steady global relationships since World War II. After the Ukraine war broke out in 2022, New Delhi emerged as one of the biggest consumers of Russian oil, while Western nations imposed sanctions and price caps. Trade in Russian oil goes on as long as transactions are in line with Western restrictions.
Both nations are also seeking to streamline the rupee-ruble trading system, lowering the dependence on the US currency as international financial uncertainties deepen.
Previously, PM Modi had met President Putin at the Tianjin summit, where the Russian president acknowledged India's contribution in Ukraine peace initiative. Putin added that he "appreciates China and India's efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine," which was a reflection of the growing clout of Asian nations in conflict resolution, which was traditionally being led by Western countries.
This was the first face-to-face interaction between PM Modi and President Putin since October 2024, when they had a meeting at the BRICS summit in Kazan. PM Modi had last spoken with Putin over the phone after the Russian president had met Trump in Alaska to finalise a peace treaty.
Earlier on Monday, images of PM Modi having a lighter moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Putin during the SCO Summit went viral. The three leaders were seen smiling and talking, recalling a similar picture that was clicked during the BRICS summit in Kazan.
In the new photo, Putin on the left, PM Modi at the center, and Xi Jinping on the right, walking together casually to take a SCO family photograph. Posting the photo on X, PM Modi captioned, "Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit."
He also uploaded another picture with President Putin, the two leaders shaking hands and embracing, captioning it, "Always a pleasure to meet President Putin!"
PM Modi and Putin were also spotted walking ahead of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who looked alone as the two leaders chatted in an informal manner. Sharif was alone with a stern face while SCO member states' leaders met for a family photo in Tianjin.
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