Modi and Putin Reinforce Ties Amid U.S. Tariff Escalation

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized their "special and privileged" relationship amid escalating U.S. tariffs on Indian imports due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil.

During their meeting, Modi highlighted the enduring partnership between India and Russia, while Putin referred to Modi as a "dear friend" and praised the trust and friendship underpinning their bilateral ties.

The discussions focused on regional stability, bilateral trade, and energy cooperation. Putin announced plans to visit India in December for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, underscoring the commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership.

This meeting occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, raising the total duties to 50%. The U.S. cited India's ongoing purchases of discounted Russian oil as a primary reason for the tariff increase, arguing that such imports support Russia's actions in Ukraine.

India has defended its energy imports, stating they are essential to meet the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens. Analysts suggest that the U.S. tariffs may push India closer to Russia and China, as evidenced by Modi's engagements with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the SCO summit.

Trade between India and Russia has seen significant growth, reaching a record $68.7 billion in the 2024-25 financial year. The two nations aim to increase this figure to $100 billion by 2030, reflecting their deepening economic ties.

Despite current tensions with the U.S., India continues to pursue a multi-alignment strategy, maintaining relationships with both Western and Eastern partners to safeguard its strategic autonomy.