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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, in a high-profile engagement that showcased both substance and symbolism in the long-standing India–Russia relationship.

The bilateral talks centered on strengthening cooperation in energy, trade, space, security, and cultural exchanges, with both leaders underscoring their commitment to deepening a “special and privileged” partnership amid turbulent global geopolitics.

Modi and Putin were seen arriving hand-in-hand and later sharing a limousine ride to the meeting venue, a striking public gesture of camaraderie that signaled their nations’ enduring closeness. “Even in the most difficult times, India and Russia have always walked shoulder to shoulder,” Modi told Putin, who addressed him as a “dear friend” and highlighted the trust built over decades of collaboration.

Focus on Peace and Development

A key part of their discussion was the ongoing war in Ukraine. Modi reiterated India’s support for diplomatic efforts, stressing that dialogue and negotiation remain the only sustainable path to peace. Putin, while welcoming India’s stance, once again blamed NATO expansion and Western policies for fueling the conflict.

Beyond security concerns, the leaders explored ways to expand bilateral cooperation in energy and trade, with India continuing to rely on discounted Russian crude despite mounting Western pressure. Modi emphasized that their partnership goes beyond economics, extending to strategic stability, space exploration, and people-to-people ties.

Preparing for December Summit

The meeting also served as groundwork for Putin’s upcoming state visit to India in December 2025, when New Delhi will host the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. Modi described the forthcoming event as “an eagerly awaited occasion for 1.4 billion Indians,” signaling its importance to India’s foreign policy priorities.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi described the Tianjin talks as “productive and forward-looking,” reinforcing India’s intent to pursue pragmatic diplomacy while navigating an increasingly multipolar world.


Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Tensions

The SCO Summit itself reflected a push by China, Russia, and other non-Western powers to reshape global governance structures. Modi’s active engagement with Putin comes just days after Washington imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports over its continued oil imports from Russia—moves that many observers see as an effort to pressure New Delhi into recalibrating its energy policy.

For India, however, the encounter reaffirmed a tradition of strategic autonomy: building strong ties with Russia while maintaining partnerships with the United States, Europe, and other global actors.

As the countdown begins to December’s summit in New Delhi, Monday’s meeting in Tianjin demonstrated that India and Russia are intent on not just preserving, but reinvigorating, their decades-old strategic partnership at a time of shifting global alliances.


The Street Reporters Newspaper

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