Modi–Putin Handshake at SCO 2025: A Signal of Enduring Strategic Partnership

 The recent handshake and warm interaction between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin have drawn global attention, symbolizing the enduring nature of the India–Russia strategic partnership. Their gestures of camaraderie—including a heartfelt embrace, a symbolic joint car ride, and a round of extensive bilateral talks—went far beyond mere diplomatic etiquette. At a time when global alignments are in flux and India faces mounting tariff pressures from the United States linked to its continued energy imports from Russia, this meeting underscored the resilience of a decades-old bond between New Delhi and Moscow.

A Meeting Beyond Diplomacy The SCO summit in Tianjin brought together influential leaders from across Eurasia, including China’s President Xi Jinping, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and leaders from Central Asia. For India, the summit was not only a platform to present its vision of a multipolar world but also an opportunity to reinforce critical bilateral ties. Modi’s handshake and subsequent warmth toward Putin carried a strong message: that despite international pressure, India continues to value Russia as a trusted partner.

Over the decades, India and Russia have cultivated an extraordinary level of trust and mutual respect. From Soviet support during the Cold War to Russia’s consistent cooperation in defence and energy in the 21st century, the relationship has remained resilient even in the face of shifting alliances. Modi’s embrace of Putin reflected this historical solidarity—an acknowledgement that India and Russia have stood “shoulder to shoulder in the most difficult times.”

The Shadow of U.S. Pressure The timing of the interaction is particularly significant. India is under pressure from Washington due to its continued purchase of discounted Russian oil and its defence partnerships with Moscow. The U.S. has imposed new tariffs on Indian goods, citing trade imbalances but widely perceived as a subtle pushback against India’s energy ties with Russia. In this context, Modi’s warm engagement with Putin can be read as a deliberate diplomatic signal: India will not abandon its strategic autonomy, even under American pressure.

India has long prided itself on pursuing a foreign policy guided by “strategic independence.” While it has deepened ties with the United States through platforms like the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia), it has also maintained close coordination with Russia. By showcasing its closeness with Putin at the SCO, New Delhi reaffirmed that it will not be forced into exclusive camps but will instead continue to balance relations among major powers.

Défense and Energy: The Cornerstones The bilateral talks between Modi and Putin highlighted two crucial pillars of India–Russia cooperation: defence and energy.

Défense Cooperation: Russia remains India’s largest defence partner, supplying advanced systems such as the S-400 missile defence units, fighter aircraft, tanks, and naval hardware. While India has diversified its defence imports to include Western suppliers, Russian technology and joint production remain critical to India’s security architecture.

Energy Security: Since the Ukraine war began, Russia has emerged as India’s largest crude oil supplier, providing discounted energy that has helped India stabilize domestic fuel prices. Modi and Putin’s discussions focused on not just sustaining this arrangement but expanding it into areas such as nuclear energy collaboration, liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, and renewable partnerships.

By reinforcing these two pillars, the leaders signalled that the partnership is both practical and strategic, essential to India’s growth and Russia’s outreach to Asia.

Ukraine Conflict: India’s Balanced Role Another focal point of the Modi–Putin talks was the ongoing Ukraine conflict. India has consistently walked a fine line: refusing to condemn Russia outright while advocating for a peaceful resolution. Modi reiterated India’s position that “this is not an era of war” and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

Putin, in turn, expressed appreciation for India’s balanced proposals—which avoid taking sides yet encourage de-escalation. By doing so, India has carved out a unique role as a potential mediator, respected by both Moscow and Western capitals. The SCO provided a stage for Modi to reinforce India’s neutral but constructive approach to global conflicts.

The SCO as a Multipolar Platform The SCO Summit itself served as an important backdrop. Originally founded in 2001 by China, Russia, and Central Asian states, the SCO has grown into a major Eurasian platform where emerging powers coordinate on security, economic, and political issues. For India, its membership since 2017 has been both an opportunity and a challenge—providing a forum to engage with China and Pakistan, but also a space to push back against unilateral Western dominance.

The 2025 Tianjin Summit highlighted three major themes:

Regional Security: Discussions focused on counterterrorism cooperation, cybersecurity, and the stabilization of Afghanistan.

Economic Integration: Leaders emphasized greater energy connectivity, trade facilitation, and cross-border infrastructure projects.

Global Governance: The call for a multipolar world order, with greater voice for Asia and the Global South, was a recurring theme.

By participating actively, Modi signalled India’s willingness to be part of a collective Asian vision, even as it continues partnerships with the West.

Dynamics with China: A Complex Equation One of the most closely watched aspects of the summit was the interaction between Modi, Putin, and Xi Jinping. Despite ongoing border tensions between India and China, the three leaders were seen exchanging friendly handshakes, light-hearted conversations, and even participating in joint sessions.

This does not erase the deep mistrust between India and China, especially after recent clashes in Ladas. However, the optics suggested that both nations, with Russia acting as a bridge, are willing to compartmentalize disputes in the interest of larger regional cooperation. For Putin, such trilateral engagement strengthens Russia’s role as a connector among major Asian powers.

A United Front of the Global South Another significant takeaway from the summit was the emphasis on the Global South. India, Russia, and China have all positioned themselves as champions of developing nations facing economic and political challenges under a U.S.-led world order. By highlighting issues such as debt relief, food security, and climate cooperation, the SCO sought to amplify the collective voice of emerging economies.

Modi’s presence, alongside Putin and Xi, reinforced the idea that Asia is no longer content to play a secondary role in global affairs. Instead, it is asserting itself as a driver of multipolarity.

Symbolism of the Handshake Diplomatic gestures often carry symbolic weight, and Modi’s handshake with Putin was no exception. In one simple act, it encapsulated decades of friendship, resilience under pressure, and a vision for a future less dominated by Western alliances. The handshake, the embrace, and the car ride were all designed to project intimacy and trust, resonating strongly with audiences in both countries.

For Moscow, it demonstrated that Russia is not isolated despite Western sanctions. For New Delhi, it reassured domestic and international observers that India will continue to balance its global ties without succumbing to unilateral pressure.

Conclusion: Toward a Multipolar Future The 2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin will be remembered not just for speeches or formal agreements but for the symbolic power of the Modi–Putin interaction. It reaffirmed the enduring strength of the India–Russia relationship, highlighted the balancing act of Indian diplomacy, and showcased the growing relevance of the SCO as a platform for Asia and the Global South.

As global power structures continue to shift, the handshake between Modi and Putin offered a glimpse into the future—a future where strategic autonomy, multipolarity, and regional solidarity take precedence over rigid blocs. Together with leaders like Xi Jinping, they projected a united front that could shape the next chapter of international politics, one where Asia asserts its place at the centre of global decision-making.

                                       

                                                        By -World Fast 24/7 News