Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that India and Russia stand shoulder to shoulder even in difficult times, reports „Reuters“, reports News.bg.
He made his statement after the Russian leader described him as his „dear friend“ and put him in his armored limousine.
China and India are the largest buyers of crude oil from Russia - the world's second-largest exporter. Trump has imposed additional tariffs on India over those purchases, but there is no sign that India or China will stop them.
On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, Modi held Putin's hand as the two walked toward Chinese President Xi Jinping. All three smiled as they spoke, flanked by interpreters.
Modi later posted a photo of himself and Putin in the armored Russian Aurus limousine used by the Kremlin leader. Modi told Putin at the bilateral meeting that India and Russia have stood together even in difficult times.
"Even in the most difficult situations, India and Russia have always stood side by side," he said. “Our close cooperation is important not only for the peoples of both countries, but also for world peace, stability and prosperity“.
During the bilateral meeting, Putin addressed Modi in Russian as “Dear Mr. Prime Minister, dear friend“.
“Russia and India have maintained special relations for decades, friendly and trusting. This is the basis for the development of our relations in the future“, he stressed.
Modi responded by welcoming recent efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
“We hope that all parties will move forward constructively. A way must be found to end the conflict as soon as possible and establish lasting peace“, he insisted.
Putin often travels in “Aurus“ on foreign visits and has sometimes offered rides to fellow leaders - or even gifted the vehicle, as he did to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2024.