PM Modi, President Putin hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Tianjin

On the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin began a highly anticipated bilateral meeting, reaffirming the enduring strength and depth of India-Russia strategic relations. Both leaders emphasised the multi-dimensional nature of their partnership, which spans critical sectors such as defence, energy, trade, and technology.

President Putin described the ties between the two nations as “principled and multifaceted,” noting that over the years, the relationship has evolved into a robust framework for cooperation. “Today’s talks provide another good opportunity to further consolidate and expand our relationship,” Putin said, highlighting the significance of the meeting in strengthening the bilateral agenda. He also praised the SCO platform as a vital forum for uniting countries of the Global South and East, reinforcing the importance of multilateral cooperation.

Echoing these sentiments, Prime Minister Modi described his interactions with President Putin as “always memorable,” underscoring the continuous high-level engagement between the two nations. “We have been in constant touch, including high-level talks,” Modi said. He also extended a warm invitation to President Putin for the upcoming 23rd India-Russia summit scheduled for December this year, noting, “140 crore Indians are eagerly waiting for you.” Modi pointed out that the depth and breadth of the India-Russia partnership reflect its “special and privileged” nature.

Addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi stressed the importance of peace efforts, saying, “We welcome all the recent efforts for peace. We hope that all parties will move forward constructively. A way has to be found to end the conflict as soon as possible and establish lasting peace. This is the call of the entire humanity.” Modi reaffirmed that India and Russia have “always stood shoulder to shoulder even in the most difficult situations,” highlighting their close cooperation as essential not only for their peoples but also for global peace, stability, and prosperity.

President Putin also referred to the milestone approaching in December 2025 — the 15th anniversary of the elevation of India-Russia ties to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” He expressed optimism that the current talks would “provide a significant boost” to this long-standing relationship, which he described as “multi-faceted” and “very good.”

(This is a developing story)