Modi Putin Share Heartfelt Hug in China Image Source: X/@narendramodi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin with a warm hug on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China.
PM Modi posted two photos with the Russian President Putin on his X account, one of which showcased the two leaders engaged in a conversation, and another image capturing their embrace. He wrote, "Always a delight to meet President Putin!”
The interaction comes into the light when India is facing trade tensions with the United States after President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India for its continued purchase of Russian crude oil. The new duties took charge on August 27.
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The Trump administration criticized India for buying Russian oil, stating that the country is encouraging the warfare of Russia. Trade advisor Peter Nevarro claimed that the revenue Russia receives from India is used in the war with Ukraine. Meanwhile, India has addressed the claims by saying that the purchase is solely based on the market offers and global needs.
Trump has repeatedly threatened with stricter actions. He warned Russia that a 100% tariff would be imposed on the nation if Putin refused a peace deal with Ukraine in July. He also hinted at imposing secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil. “Well, they lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40% of the oil... and If I did secondary sanctions, it would be devastating from their standpoint,” Trump stated in an interview with Fox News.
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The Modi-Putin meeting follows the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska over Ukraine.
This SCO summit marks PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. He and President Xi Jinping last met in October 2023 in Kazan, Russia, where both sides agreed to ease tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
