Decades-long ties in focus as Modi, Putin meet during SCO

India and Russia reaffirmed their longstanding strategic partnership on Monday against the backdrop of US pressure on India to curb Russian energy purchases, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling President Vladimir Putin that the two countries have stood side by side in the most difficult times.

- Rezaul H Laskar

As the two leaders met on the ‘margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Modi said he looked forward to welcoming Putin in India in December for an annual summit. In addition to the bilateral meeting that lasted close to an hour, the two leaders held informal talks for almost 45 minutes as Putin gave a lift to Modi in his armoured Aurus limousine from the summit venue to the hotel where the formal meeting was held.

The two leaders also shared views on the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, the Indian Prime Minister's Office said. Putin said while addressing the SCO Summit that Russia values the efforts and proposals of India, China and other strategic partners aimed at facilitating a settlement of the Ukraine crisis.

“India and Russia have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder even in the most difficult situations. Our close cooperation is important not only for the people of both our countries, but also for global peace, stability and prosperity,” Modi said at the start of the bilateral meeting, speaking in Hindi.