Tianjin (China), Sep 1 (PTI) — In a testament to enduring ties, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the resilient relationship between India and Russia, emphasizing their joint commitment to global peace and stability during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the meeting was set against a backdrop of strained Indo-US relations.
The conversation between Modi and Putin primarily aimed at amplifying bilateral cooperation across economic, financial, and energy sectors. During this summit, Modi announced that the 1.4 billion citizens of India were looking forward to welcoming President Putin to India in December. "This is a reflection of the depth and scope of our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India and Russia have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder even in the most difficult situations," Modi asserted. He stressed that their close cooperation is pivotal not just for India and Russia but also for global peace, stability, and prosperity.
The two leaders engaged in informal discussions as they traveled together to their meeting venue after the SCO summit, with President Putin having waited about 10 minutes for Modi. Once arrived, they continued their discussion for an additional 45 minutes, reflecting the significance and depth of their dialogue.
During the meeting, Modi expressed support for all recent initiatives aimed at establishing peace in Ukraine, noting the humanitarian imperative to cease hostilities. "We've been having regular discussions on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We welcome all the recent efforts towards establishing peace," Modi said. He emphasized India's hope for a constructive and lasting resolution.
Following a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi reportedly briefed Putin on this exchange. After speaking with Modi, Zelenskyy indicated India's readiness to contribute to peace efforts by signaling to Russia.
Putin echoed the long-standing "special friendly and trust-based" relations between Russia and India, highlighting their apolitical nature and broad public support. "These relations are entirely above party politics and enjoy the support of the overwhelming majority of our peoples," noted Putin, according to the Kremlin.
The Indian readout underscored Modi's reiteration of support for peace efforts in Ukraine and called for expediting conflict cessation to achieve a "durable peace" settlement.
The Modi-Putin discussions followed a summit two weeks prior between US President Donald Trump and Putin, aimed at conflict resolution efforts. Meanwhile, Modi and Putin also deliberated on strengthening collaboration in crucial sectors, such as energy, fertilizers, and trade.
While no official statements were made regarding the US-imposed tariffs on India, it is believed the two leaders broached the topic during their car ride discussion. Indo-US relations have soured following President Trump's decision to double tariffs on Indian goods, exacerbated by his administration's persistent criticisms.
In a post on 'X', Modi described his interactions with Putin as "excellent" and productive, particularly concerning deepening cooperation across sectors like trade, fertilization, space, security, and culture. He shared a photograph of himself and Putin traveling together, noting the insightful nature of their conversations.
The Indian readout further highlighted Modi and Putin's satisfaction with the consistent growth in bilateral ties, reaffirming their commitment to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Putin remarked on the 15-year elevation of Russia-India relations, emphasizing the robust foundation of multifaceted cooperation across UN, BRICS, G20, and SCO engagements.
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