Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that India and Russia remain side by side even in difficult times, after the Kremlin leader called him a “dear friend” and offered him a ride in his armoured limousine.
China and India are the largest buyers of crude oil from Russia, the world’s second-largest exporter. Trump has imposed additional tariffs on India over the purchases, but there is no sign that India or China are going to stop them.
On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in China’s port city of Tianjin, Modi held Putin’s hand as they walked towards Chinese President Xi Jinping. All three smiled as they spoke, surrounded by translators.
Later, Modi posted a picture on X of him and Putin inside the armoured Aurus limousine used by the Russian leader.
Putin often travels with the Aurus on foreign trips and has occasionally offered rides to fellow leaders – or even gifted the vehicle, as he did to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2024.
“Even in the most difficult situations, India and Russia have always walked shoulder to shoulder,” Modi said. “Our close cooperation is important not only for the people of both countries but also for global peace, stability and prosperity.”
‘Dear Friend’
At the bilateral meeting, Putin addressed Modi in Russian as “Dear Mr Prime Minister, dear friend.”
“Russia and India have maintained special relations for decades, friendly and trusting. This is the foundation for the development of our relations in the future,” Putin said.
Modi said he welcomed recent efforts aimed at stopping the war in Ukraine, which he hoped would end as soon as possible. On Saturday, Modi reaffirmed his support for a peaceful settlement during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi’s office said.
“Had an excellent meeting with President Putin,” Modi said on X on Monday, adding that they had discussed cooperating “in all sectors, including trade, fertilisers, space, security and culture.”
“Our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership remains a vital pillar of regional and global stability,” Modi said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
