New Delhi: India and Russia reaffirmed their time-tested partnership based on trust against the backdrop of punitive tariffs imposed by the US and White House trade advisor Peter Navarro’s relentless public attacks over oil purchases. US President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% levy on Indian goods.

At their meeting in Tianjin following the opening session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed steps to expand their strategic partnership.

“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 countries, but also for global peace, stability, and prosperity,” Modi told Putin in his opening remarks at the dialogue. “We have been in constant touch. There have also been many high-level meetings between the two sides regularly. 140 crore Indians are eagerly waiting to welcome you for our 23rd summit in December this year. This is a reflection of the depth and scope of our special and privileged strategic partnership.”

Cooperation on global stage

Modi and Putin had spoken twice last month on a variety of issues including various elements of their strategic partnership. This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders this year since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

The statement is significant as it displays India’s steadfast belief in the concept of strategic autonomy, standing by its decision to continue purchasing Russian oil in the national interest despite US tariffs and criticism by senior Trump administration figures.

Putin called the Prime Minister his “dear friend” and gave him a lift in his armoured limousine. Ahead of the structured dialogue, Modi and Putin were closeted in the Russia-made vehicle for close to an hour, underscoring the warmth of the relationship and the personal chemistry between the two.

Putin had waited 10 minutes so Modi could ride in his car for a conversation, itself a message for various actors, including the host, experts said. The two leaders had also been spotted engaged in intense dialogue ahead of the opening session of the SCO Summit.

The Russian President noted that December 21 would mark 15 years of a joint statement that had elevated bilateral relations to the level of a special privileged strategic partnership.

“We can say with confidence that multifaceted Russian-Indian ties are actively developing based on these principles,” Putin said. “Ties have been established at various levels.”

He highlighted positive trends in trade and economic cooperation and hailed tourist exchanges.

“We closely coordinate our activities on the international stage, including within the United Nations, BRICS, the Group of 20, and, of course, the SCO. Today, we have a good opportunity to discuss the key goals of multifaceted bilateral cooperation in various fields,” Putin noted.

ET has learnt that the structured dialogue was a mini summit of sorts that helped prepare for Putin’s December visit to India. The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, including in the economic, financial, and energy sectors, and expressed satisfaction with the sustained growth in bilateral ties in these areas, according to the Indian readout.

Ukraine conflict

The Ukraine situation and the Alaska summit between Putin and the US President were also discussed by the two leaders.

“We’ve been having regular discussions on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” Modi said.