Tianjin: On the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were seen travelling together in the same car on Monday, September 1, ahead of their bilateral meeting. The gesture highlighted the close strategic relationship between India and Russia.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed the SCO Leaders’ Meeting, outlining India’s regional priorities and emphasizing security, connectivity, and cooperation. His bilateral meeting with President Putin comes amid rising trade tensions with the United States, following Washington’s imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports due to New Delhi’s continued import of Russian crude oil.

The discussions between Modi and Putin are expected to focus on regional security, strategic cooperation, and future economic engagements in the context of shifting global alignments. The two leaders were also seen exchanging a warm hug ahead of the formal talks, underscoring the cordial nature of India-Russia relations.