Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold critical talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, as India faces mounting pressure from U.S. tariffs targeting its Russian oil imports.
The meeting, confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, marks the first in-person engagement between the two leaders since the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, and comes at a pivotal moment as U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian crude, took effect on August 27. The discussions are expected to focus on deepening the India-Russia strategic partnership, addressing the Ukraine conflict, and preparing for Putin’s upcoming visit to India in December 2025.
The Modi-Putin meeting follows Modi’s talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31, where he emphasized cooperation against cross-border terrorism and the need for stable India-China ties post the 2020 Ladakh standoff. The SCO Summit, attended by leaders from 10 member states and 16 observer nations, provides a platform for India to navigate its strategic autonomy amid global trade tensions. U.S. tariffs, described as “unjustified” by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, have sparked controversy, with India arguing that its Russian oil purchases stabilize global energy markets, a role once encouraged by Western nations.
Ushakov highlighted the 15th anniversary of the India-Russia “special strategic partnership,” formalized in 2010, underscoring the deep ties that include Russia supplying 36% of India’s arms imports from 2020-2024, per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The leaders will likely discuss sustaining energy cooperation, with India importing 35% of its oil from Russia, and expanding trade to address a $68 billion trade imbalance favoring Moscow. Modi’s defiance of U.S. pressure, coupled with plans to boost Indian exports to Russia, signals New Delhi’s commitment to its long-standing ally despite Western criticism.
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The Tianjin summit, hosted by Xi Jinping, also highlights a broader alignment among India, Russia, and China against U.S. influence, with the SCO representing 40% of the global population and a significant share of energy resources. Modi’s meetings with Xi and Putin reflect India’s balancing act, reinforcing ties with Moscow and Beijing while navigating strained U.S. relations. As global trade faces disruptions from Trump’s policies, the talks aim to bolster regional cooperation, with Modi set to outline India’s vision at the SCO plenary session. With Putin’s India visit on the horizon, the Tianjin talks could shape the future of India-Russia ties in a volatile geopolitical landscape.
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