Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin created a buzz on Monday when they travelled together in a Russian-made Aurus limousine to the Ritz-Carlton in Tianjin, where they later held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

PM Modi shared the moment on X, writing: “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.”

Putin Waits for Modi

Reports revealed that President Putin waited nearly 10 minutes for PM Modi to join him before they set off together. The two leaders continued their discussions not only during the drive but also for around 45 minutes inside the vehicle after arriving at the hotel, ahead of their formal meeting which ran for an hour. Talks touched on energy ties, defence projects, and global strategic challenges.

A Display of Warmth

The joint ride came after the leaders exchanged a warm hug at the summit venue, a moment that quickly went viral online. Modi later posted about the meeting, saying: “Always a delight to meet President Putin!”

Talks Amid Trade Strains

The timing of the meeting carried added significance as it followed US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian exports — up to 50% — citing India’s continued imports of discounted Russian crude oil. The tariffs, seen as part of Trump’s broader protectionist push, dominated discussions at the summit and added weight to Modi–Putin talks.

Modi, Putin, Xi Together

In another rare moment, Modi was seen in animated conversation with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Indian leader later shared images of the trilateral interaction on X with the caption: “Interactions in Tianjin continue! Exchanging perspectives with President Putin and President Xi during the SCO Summit.”

India’s SCO Vision

During the plenary session, Modi outlined India’s agenda for the SCO, built around three themes: security, connectivity, and opportunity. He urged a united fight against terrorism, warning against double standards, and highlighted the human cost India has borne over four decades, citing the recent Pahalgam attack.

On connectivity, Modi stressed that initiatives ignoring sovereignty “lose trust and meaning,” an indirect reference to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. Instead, he promoted India-led projects such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor, which aim to enhance regional trade while respecting national boundaries.

Meeting Xi After Seven Years

On the sidelines, Modi also held his first bilateral engagement with Xi Jinping in seven years. He called for cooperation between India and China on counterterrorism, pointing out that both nations have suffered from violent extremism. The meeting, set against the backdrop of the 2020 Galwan clashes, marked Modi’s first visit to China since the border crisis, underlining its significance in the broader diplomatic context.