Tianjin [China]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin showcased their close camaraderie at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. The two leaders greeted each other warmly and even shared a ride in Putin’s official Aurus Senat limousine before holding bilateral talks.
According to sources, President Putin waited nearly ten minutes to ensure Prime Minister Modi could join him for the ride from the summit venue to their meeting hotel. The leaders continued their discussions during the journey and reportedly spent an additional 45 minutes in conversation even after arriving at the venue.
Prime Minister Modi later posted on X, highlighting the special interaction. “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,” he wrote.
The formal bilateral meeting lasted for more than an hour. Modi described the talks as “excellent,” stressing that both leaders explored avenues to strengthen cooperation across trade, fertilisers, space, security, and culture. They also reviewed regional and global issues, with particular focus on the Ukraine conflict.
“Our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership remains a vital pillar of regional and global stability,” Modi noted in his statement on X. He reaffirmed India’s support for initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine and underscored the urgency of achieving a ceasefire and pursuing a sustainable peace process.
Discussions also covered energy, financial cooperation, and broader economic ties, reinforcing the significance of India–Russia relations at a time of shifting global dynamics.
