During a regional summit in China’s Tianjin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged with attendees as India’s relationship with the U.S. faced challenges over Russian oil purchases.
The two leaders met following a significant session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which focuses on regional stability and trade, along with energy collaboration.
Modi described his connection with Moscow as “special and privileged,” while Putin referred to Modi as a “dear friend,” emphasizing the long-standing, friendly, and trustworthy relations between Russia and India.
“Russia and India have a special bond that has lasted for decades, rooted in mutual trust. This foundation is essential for the future of our relationship,” Putin stated. His foreign affairs advisor, Yuri Ushakov, indicated that Putin plans to visit India in December for the 23rd annual India-Russia Summit.
Context of the Relationship
At the SCO conference, Modi expressed support for peace initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, urging all parties to work towards constructive resolution.
“To bring faster resolution to conflicts and establish lasting peace, we must explore collaborative solutions. This is a plea from humanity,” he noted.
Accompanied by a significant delegation, Putin engaged in a lengthy one-on-one conversation with Modi before formal discussions began, according to Russian state media, which indicated they spent nearly an hour conversing in a luxury Russian limousine.
While posing for group photos, Modi appeared to share a candid moment with Putin, showing a friendly connection that elicited smiles, including from Chinese President Xi Jinping, as they shared lighthearted exchanges.
Modi reaffirmed his commitment to addressing boundary disputes and enhancing cooperation ahead of the conference’s opening weekend.
Impacts of U.S. Policy
The significance of the Modi-Putin meeting has grown in light of President Trump’s recent tariffs on Indian imports and ongoing concerns regarding India’s purchases of discounted Russian oil.
Washington has cautioned New Delhi against acquiring Russian crude, linking it to funding for the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, India defends these imports as vital for satisfying the energy demands of its 1.4 billion people.
Analysts suggest that Trump’s policies unintentionally foster closer ties between India and Russia, as well as with China, in response to U.S. economic pressures.
“The trend towards cooperation between India and China began before Trump, but his administration’s approach has accelerated this process, prompting a stronger alignment with China and Russia against unilateral economic measures from the U.S.,” said Hirsch Pants, a foreign policy expert in New Delhi.
Others, like Ashok Malik of The Asia Group, noted that coordinated economic engagement between India and China was already in motion, but Trump’s tariffs have brought it into sharper focus.
Russia sees a political opportunity to bring together these three nations, especially following Modi’s visits to Russia last year, the first being in July, marking his first trip after the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Historical Trade Relationships
Since the Cold War, Russia has developed strong ties with India, and this relationship has become increasingly significant in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As Western nations have distanced themselves from Russian oil, China and India have emerged as key buyers, allowing them to procure oil at discounted prices.
Traditionally, India has sourced most of its oil from the Middle East, but with the new dynamics, it has become the world’s third-largest crude oil importer, with approximately 37% of its imports now coming from Russia, according to analysts and officials.
In recent years, trade between India and Russia has surged, reaching a record $68.7 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year, largely due to heightened energy cooperation. Russian imports accounted for about $64 billion, while India exported around $5 billion, as indicated by government data.
With fiscal years running from April to March, both countries aim to enhance their trade to $100 billion by 2030.
Modi’s meeting with Putin underscores India’s commitment to maintaining its strategic partnerships while balancing its foreign policy appropriately, as remarked by Sulearam Sundar Chauria, an expert in New Delhi.
Chauria also expressed hope that the current tension with the U.S. would be seen as a temporary phase. He mused, “Perhaps India can return to balancing its relationships with Russia and the U.S. as part of its multi-alignment strategy.”
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Roy reported from New Delhi.
