Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin showcased their longstanding camaraderie during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on Monday. The two leaders were seen walking hand in hand before meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, exchanging smiles and words through translators. Putin, addressing Modi warmly as his “dear friend,” later offered him a ride in his armoured Aurus limousine, a symbolic gesture that drew global attention.
Modi, sharing pictures from the ride on X, said that India and Russia have always stood side by side, even during the most challenging times. He emphasized that this enduring partnership is vital not only for the citizens of both countries but also for contributing to international peace, stability, and prosperity.
Russia, the world’s second-largest crude exporter, counts India and China as its biggest buyers. Despite additional tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump over these purchases, neither New Delhi nor Beijing has shown signs of scaling back. For India, energy security remains a critical priority, and its alignment with Russia underscores this commitment.
At their bilateral meeting, which followed the SCO sessions, both leaders reaffirmed the depth of their relationship. Putin underlined that Russia and India have maintained friendly and trusting ties for decades, a foundation he believes will strengthen future cooperation. Modi, in turn, described their meeting as “excellent,” noting that discussions spanned a wide range of sectors, including trade, fertilisers, space, defence, and cultural exchange.
On the global stage, the Ukraine conflict also featured in their conversation. Modi reiterated India’s call for a peaceful resolution and acknowledged recent initiatives aimed at ending the war. His office confirmed that just days earlier, he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reiterating support for dialogue and de-escalation.
Putin’s choice of the Aurus limousine for the ride with Modi added symbolic weight, as the Russian leader often travels with the luxury vehicle on overseas visits. He has even offered rides to other heads of state and famously gifted one to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2024. For Modi, the gesture reinforced the sense of trust and respect that has long defined Indo-Russian ties.
