PM Modi To Meet Russian President Putin After SCO Summit To Strengthen Bilateral Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. This meeting holds significant importance due to the ongoing pressure from the United States regarding India's purchase of Russian oil. The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening India-Russia relations and regional cooperation strategies.

The bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin marks their first face-to-face interaction since Donald Trump's second term as U.S. President. Their last encounter was during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Modi will address the SCO plenary session before meeting Putin.

India's Trade Goals with Russia

India aims to boost its exports to Russia in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles to reduce the trade imbalance. New Delhi has urged Moscow to eliminate non-tariff barriers that hinder Indian goods from entering the Russian market. Currently, Russia ranks as India's fourth-largest trading partner, while India is Russia's second-largest.

Recent weeks have seen increased engagements between India and Russia, especially after Trump's tariffs were announced. Modi and Putin have spoken twice over the phone since Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% penalty on Indian goods for purchasing Russian oil.

Energy Cooperation Discussions

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met his Russian counterpart in Moscow on August 22 to discuss energy cooperation through trade and investments. They explored joint extraction of energy resources in regions like the Russian Federation, Far East, and Arctic shelf. Modi and Putin are likely to address these issues during their meeting.

Before this meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Modi. They discussed the ongoing conflict, its humanitarian impact, and efforts towards peace and stability. "India extends full support to all efforts in this direction," Modi stated after their call.

Modi's Diplomatic Engagements

The Modi-Putin meeting follows a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO leaders' summit sidelines. This was their first meeting since the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024. During this time, PM Modi invited Xi Jinping to attend the BRICS Summit that India will host in 2026.

President Xi expressed gratitude for the invitation and assured China's support for India's BRICS Presidency. At an official reception hosted by Xi at Tianjin Meijiang International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Modi was warmly welcomed by Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan before joining other leaders for a group photo symbolising regional unity.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that this meeting comes amid relentless pressure from Trump's administration on India to reduce its purchase of Russian crude oil. Reports suggest that New Delhi and Moscow have finalised plans for Putin's visit to India for the India-Russia Annual Summit likely scheduled for December.

In recent developments, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Russia earlier this month as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts between both nations. These interactions underscore India's strategic diplomatic maneuvers amidst complex global dynamics involving key players like China and Russia.