Amid Trump’s 25% Tariffs Shock, PM Modi & Putin Share Warm Hug, Take Surprise Car Ride in China — 5 Big Moments That Show Strong India-Russia Bond
Amid Trump’s 25% tariffs move, PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a warm hug and a surprise car ride in China during the SCO 2025 Summit. Discover 5 key highlights of their strong India-Russia partnership and global impact
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared a warm hug as they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. Later in the day, the two leaders shared a car ride together as they headed for bilateral talks in China.
PM Modi shared some pictures with President Putin, one of them showing the two leaders interacting, and the other showing them hugging each other. Sharing the pictures, PM Modi tweeted: “Always a delight to meet President Putin!”
A few hours later, he also shared a picture of the two leaders sitting on the backseat of a car. “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,” he captioned it.
The visibly delightful meet and greet between the two leaders comes amid US President Donald Trump’s sweeping 50% tariffs on Indian imports, half of them imposed as a penalty for doing business with Russia.
Trump and many of his key officials have been lashing out at India for buying Russian oil, justifying the doubling of duties, which came into force on August 27.
While India had clarified that its energy deals are guided by offer in markets and the global situation, the Trump administration, especially his trade adviser Peter Navarro has alleged that the money Russia gets from its business with India is then used to fund the war in Ukraine.
In July, Trump had threatened 100% tariffs on Russia if it didn’t agree to a peace deal over Ukraine. He had also said he would pursue secondary sanctions on countries that purchase Russian energy.
The latest meeting between PM Modi and Putin also comes weeks after Trump and Putin met in Alaska to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
Ahead of that meeting, Trump had said that Russia lost an “oil client” – India. “Well, they lost an oil client so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40% of the oil, China as you know is doing a lot…and If I did secondary sanctions, it would be devastating from their standpoint…,” he had said in an interview with Fox News.
This was days after Trump threatened a 50% tariff on Indian imports citing New Delhi’s oil trade with Russia.
Currently, PM Modi and Putin are in Russia to attend the much-anticipated SCO Summit. Both leaders were welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin.
This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years, and the first meeting with Jinping in almost an year. The leaders last met in Kazan, Russia, in October last year, a meeting that initiated a major thaw in India-China ties, with an understanding reached to end the face-off on the Line of Actual Control.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2025 Summit in China turned into a stage of diplomatic symbolism as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin showcased their enduring camaraderie. At a time when global trade tensions are rising due to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs announcement, the warmth between Modi and Putin sent a clear message of resilience and strategic partnership.
In a world driven by power optics, gestures often say more than speeches. When PM Modi and President Putin exchanged a warm hug on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, it immediately made headlines. This symbolic embrace highlighted the trust and friendship between New Delhi and Moscow, despite shifting global equations and Western pressure on Russia.
The biggest surprise of the summit came when PM Modi and President Putin were seen taking a car ride together. Images of the two leaders sharing light-hearted moments during their ride went viral, symbolizing not only personal warmth but also the growing depth of India-Russia ties. The ride was described by Modi as “always a delight,” signaling how comfortable both leaders are in each other’s company.
The Modi-Putin meeting also coincided with the SCO’s strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, a stance reportedly pushed forward by India. This marked one of the top outcomes of the summit, showcasing how India is shaping global narratives against terrorism. Russia, along with other SCO members, stood firmly with India, highlighting their shared commitment to regional peace and security.
Just as Trump’s 25% tariffs announcement shook global trade markets, the optics of India and Russia standing together carried immense geopolitical weight. While Trump’s move reignited fears of a trade war, Modi and Putin’s joint display reinforced the idea that alternative alliances and strong bilateral partnerships can withstand such external shocks. For India, this also served as a balancing act—showing that while it engages with the U.S., its ties with Russia remain unshakable.
Beyond hugs and car rides, the Modi-Putin chemistry is built on decades of trust. Russia continues to be India’s leading defense partner, with cooperation spanning nuclear energy, space, and hydrocarbons. The SCO meet further cemented these areas, as both leaders reportedly discussed enhancing trade, defense collaboration, and connectivity projects.
The Modi-Putin bonhomie in China is more than just camaraderie—it’s a strategic signal. At a time when global powers are realigning, India is showing that it can balance relationships with the West, Russia, and China. By standing close to Moscow while engaging with Washington and other global players, New Delhi is underscoring its multi-aligned foreign policy vision.
