At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met warmly, sharing a heartfelt embrace that symbolized their strong bond. The moment captured global attention. PM Modi shared images of their interaction on social media, one showing them engaged in conversation and another capturing their warm hug.
Alongside the photos, Modi wrote, “Meeting President Putin is always a pleasure!”This meeting gains significance amid heavy tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on India, with a 50% duty on Indian imports, half of which is a penalty for India’s energy trade with Russia. This backdrop lends the Modi-Putin meeting a deeper political meaning. The Trump administration has accused India of using funds from Russian oil purchases to fuel the Ukraine war, with U.S. trade advisor Peter Navarro directly voicing these allegations.
However, India has clarified that its energy deals are driven by global market conditions and offers. In July, Trump warned of imposing 100% tariffs if Russia does not agree to a Ukraine peace deal, also threatening secondary sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil.Despite these pressures, the warmth between Modi and Putin underscores India’s resolve to protect its national interests. Amid U.S. pressures, India continues to pursue its independent foreign policy.