Tianjin, China, September 2, 2025 – In a significant diplomatic engagement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1, 2025. The meeting, marked by warm exchanges and a shared ride in Putin’s armoured Aurus limousine, underscored the enduring strength of the India-Russia strategic partnership amidst mounting global pressures, particularly from the United States over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
The leaders’ interaction began with a notably cordial moment as they greeted each other with smiles and hugs before the SCO plenary session. A viral video shared by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs captured Modi, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaging in a relaxed conversation, highlighting a rare display of camaraderie among the leaders of three major powers. Putin described the meeting as a “significant boost” to India-Russia relations, expressing his happiness and referring to Modi as a “dear friend.” He emphasized the decades-long “friendly and trusting” relationship between the two nations, noting that their special and privileged strategic partnership, established nearly 15 years ago, continues to thrive. “Trade and economic ties are showing positive dynamics,” Putin said, addressing Modi in Russian during their formal talks.
Modi echoed Putin’s sentiments, reaffirming India’s commitment to the bilateral relationship. “India and Russia have always stood shoulder to shoulder even in the most difficult situations,” he said in Hindi at the start of the bilateral meeting. “Our close cooperation is important not only for the people of both our countries but also for global peace, stability, and prosperity.” Modi highlighted the depth of their partnership, noting regular high-level engagements and expressing enthusiasm for hosting Putin in New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Summit in December 2025. “At this time, 1.4 billion Indians are eagerly waiting to welcome you,” he added.
The nearly hour-long formal meeting, preceded by a 45-minute informal discussion during their limousine ride from the summit venue to the hotel, covered a wide range of topics, including trade, energy, security, space, and cultural cooperation. A readout from India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their strategic partnership. Modi posted on X, describing the meeting as “excellent” and detailing discussions on deepening cooperation in sectors such as trade, fertilizers, and regional stability. “Our special and privileged strategic partnership remains a vital pillar of regional and global stability,” he wrote.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of escalating US-India tensions, driven by the Trump administration’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian exports, including a 25% punitive levy targeting India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. The US has criticized India’s energy imports, which now constitute 35-40% of its crude supply, as indirectly funding Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. Despite this pressure, India has doubled down on its energy and defense ties with Russia. Modi’s office confirmed that the leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict, with Modi reiterating India’s support for a peaceful resolution, a stance he also conveyed in a recent call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The SCO Summit, hosted by China from August 31 to September 1, provided a platform for Modi and Putin to project unity alongside Xi Jinping. The summit, attended by leaders from over 20 countries, focused on regional security, trade, and counter-terrorism. In his plenary address, Modi called for decisive action against terrorism, referencing the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The SCO’s Tianjin Declaration, signed by all members, condemned the attack and reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
The Modi-Putin meeting also highlighted economic cooperation, with Russia’s Direct Investment Fund CEO announcing new investment projects with India and China. India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil and its refusal to scale back defense ties, including procurements like the S-400 missile system, signal New Delhi’s determination to maintain strategic autonomy despite Western criticism.
Analysts view the warm Modi-Putin interaction as a deliberate signal to the US that India will not bow to tariff pressures or abandon its long-standing partnership with Russia. The leaders’ display of solidarity, alongside their engagement with Xi, underscores the growing influence of the SCO and BRICS as platforms for the Global South to counter Western dominance. However, the summit’s failure to address the Ukraine conflict in its joint statement drew criticism from Kyiv, which called the omission “telling.”
As Modi concluded his four-day visit to Japan and China, he described the SCO Summit as “productive,” emphasizing India’s firm stance on global issues. The Modi-Putin meeting, combined with Modi’s talks with Xi to ease India-China border tensions, reflects India’s delicate balancing act in a multipolar world. With Putin’s upcoming visit to India in December, the India-Russia partnership is poised to deepen further, reinforcing a relationship that has weathered global upheavals for decades.
Disclaimer: This story is compiled from reports by multiple news outlets and reflects developments as of September 2, 2025.
