Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday travelled together in the same car to the venue of their bilateral meeting in Tianjin, following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
Sharing the moment on X, PM Modi wrote, “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.”
The gesture comes at a time when India and Russia are working to strengthen their ties amid growing global trade tensions. The US recently imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent penalty linked to discounted crude oil imports from Moscow. Washington has also criticised New Delhi’s energy trade with Russia, calling it a “laundromat for the Kremlin.”
During the SCO Summit, PM Modi underlined India’s vision of boosting connectivity, trade and trust, citing projects like the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor that aim to deepen links with Afghanistan and Central Asia. He also highlighted India’s efforts during its SCO presidency to promote startups, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and shared cultural heritage.
President Putin, in his remarks, said that the SCO is laying the foundation for a “new Eurasian security system,” while strengthening economic cooperation. He noted that the use of national currencies for trade among SCO members is expanding rapidly.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also called on the organisation to uphold fairness, resist Cold War-era mentalities, and oppose bullying practices, as he addressed the 25th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
The 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin highlighted the bloc’s growing role in shaping multipolar global governance, especially as US trade policies under President Donald Trump continue to strain relations with allies and partners.
