Putin Notes Xi’s ‘Elephant-Dragon,’ Adds Russian Symbol

At the Eastern Economic Forum 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the evolving dynamics of Russia-India-China (RIC) relations, revealing that Chinese President Xi Jinping coined the phrase "dragon and elephant dance" to symbolize the strengthening ties between China and India. Putin noted that the media later incorporated Russia’s "bear" into this imagery, though he playfully suggested the Amur tiger, native to Russia’s Far East, could equally represent his nation. “The bear is Russia’s symbol, but here in the Far East, the world’s biggest tiger lives,” he quipped, as reported by Russia Today.

Putin also took a subtle jab at the U.S., referencing its double-headed eagle emblem, which he said looks both West and East but overlooks the South. The RIC framework, initiated by Moscow in 1998, aims to foster deeper coordination among the three nations on global issues, aligning with efforts to bolster non-Western alliances like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The remarks come amid heightened tensions with the U.S., following former President Donald Trump’s comments on Truth Social: “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump’s statement followed the SCO summit in Tianjin, where Xi hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, showcasing a united front. The summit, held from August 31 to September 1, 2025, underscored a thaw in India-China relations, with Xi emphasizing that the “dragon and elephant” should be partners, not rivals, and Modi noting that bilateral ties had moved in a “meaningful direction.”

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Trump’s frustration reflects Washington’s concerns over the growing camaraderie among New Delhi, Moscow, and Beijing, particularly as the U.S. has sought to position India as a counterweight to China’s global influence. However, U.S.-India relations have deteriorated due to Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, which the U.S. claims fuels Russia’s war in Ukraine. These tariffs, effective since August 27, 2025, have disrupted India’s $87.3 billion export market to the U.S., impacting sectors like textiles and jewelry.

India has defended its energy purchases, arguing they are essential for economic stability and comply with international law. The Ministry of External Affairs called the U.S. tariffs “unjustified,” highlighting that other nations, including China, buy significantly more Russian oil without facing similar penalties. This perceived double standard has pushed India closer to China and Russia, as evidenced by Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and his warm interactions with both Xi and Putin at the SCO summit.

Analysts see the Tianjin summit as a strategic message to the West, signaling a shift toward a multipolar world order. The public displays of unity, including Modi and Putin’s hour-long car ride and their jovial exchanges with Xi, were widely interpreted as a response to U.S. pressure. “India likes other great powers to know that New Delhi has options,” said Christopher Clary, an associate professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York. The summit also marked progress in India-China relations, with agreements to resume direct flights and simplify visa processes, despite lingering challenges like border disputes.

Putin’s comments at the Eastern Economic Forum further emphasized the RIC’s role in countering Western dominance, aligning with Xi’s vision of a “fairer multipolar world order.” Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs and public criticism, including claims that he brokered an India-Pakistan ceasefire, have strained the once-close U.S.-India relationship. Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton noted that the personal bond between Trump and Modi has “evaporated,” warning that the tariffs have pushed India toward Moscow and Beijing.

As the RIC nations deepen their coordination, the U.S. faces challenges in maintaining its influence in Asia. South Korea, another key U.S. ally, has also expressed concerns over similar U.S. actions, such as the recent immigration raid on a Korean battery plant in Georgia. The evolving geopolitical landscape, highlighted by the RIC’s symbolic unity, suggests a reconfiguration of global alliances, with India, China, and Russia asserting their strategic autonomy in the face of U.S. policies.

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