Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to deliver India’s address at the plenary session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation ( SCO) summit in Tianjin today. Following this, he will hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the schedule, saying, “Prime Minister will be addressing the plenary session of the Summit, where he will outline India’s approach to fostering regional cooperation under the SCO umbrella. After this engagement, he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, following which he will depart for India.”
The meeting between Modi and Putin is significant. It comes amid pressure from the Trump administration on New Delhi to scale down its purchase of Russian crude oil, and only weeks after Washington announced steep tariffs on Indian exports. This will be their first in-person meeting since October 2024, when they met on the margins of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
India and Russia: trade and energy on the table
New Delhi has been looking to rebalance its trade with Moscow. While Russia remains India’s fourth-largest trading partner, the trade deficit is firmly in Russia’s favour. India wants to increase exports in medicines, agricultural products, and textiles, and has urged Moscow to dismantle non-tariff barriers that restrict access for Indian goods.
The issue of energy will also be central. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar discussed cooperation in Moscow on 22 August, including joint extraction projects in the Russian Far East and Arctic shelf. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also travelled to Russia earlier in August. Reports suggest President Putin is likely to visit India in December for the annual India-Russia summit.
Modi-Xi talks: border peace and trade ties
On Sunday, Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their first since Kazan last year. Both leaders “welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations” and emphasised that India and China are “development partners, not rivals”. They agreed that “differences should not turn into disputes” and underlined the importance of stability for economic growth and development in both countries, and for the wider balance of Asia.
Modi highlighted the importance of “peace and tranquillity in the border areas” as a foundation for broader relations. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over disengagement achieved last year and the continuing calm along the frontier. They also supported the efforts of their Special Representatives, who met earlier this month to advance talks on the boundary question.
Economic ties featured prominently. Both sides spoke of building a “political and strategic direction to expand bilateral trade and investment ties and reduce the trade deficit”. They also agreed to boost people-to-people links, including more direct flights, easier visas, and cultural exchanges such as the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
Modi invited Xi to attend the BRICS summit India will host in 2026. Xi accepted the invitation and offered China’s support for India’s BRICS presidency.
Regional outreach in Tianjin
Modi’s engagements in Tianjin also included a bilateral meeting with Myanmar’s acting President and military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The Prime Minister underlined that India attaches importance to its relations with Myanmar under its “Neighbourhood First”, “Act East”, and Indo-Pacific policies. The two leaders reviewed development partnerships, defence and security ties, border management, and cross-border trade.
At the official SCO reception, hosted by President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan, Modi joined Putin, other heads of state, and senior delegations for a family photograph and banquet. Russian President Vladimir Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other senior officials, according to TASS.
India’s role in the SCO
India joined the SCO in 2017 after more than a decade as an observer. It has since chaired both the Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the Council of Heads of State from 2022 to 2023. The SCO now includes ten full members: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Several dialogue partners and observers also attend, making the summit an important platform for regional diplomacy.
The timing of this year’s summit is especially important for India. It comes as New Delhi navigates strained trade ties with Washington, pressure over energy imports, and the need to balance its relationships with both Moscow and Beijing.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the schedule, saying, “Prime Minister will be addressing the plenary session of the Summit, where he will outline India’s approach to fostering regional cooperation under the SCO umbrella. After this engagement, he is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, following which he will depart for India.”
The meeting between Modi and Putin is significant. It comes amid pressure from the Trump administration on New Delhi to scale down its purchase of Russian crude oil, and only weeks after Washington announced steep tariffs on Indian exports. This will be their first in-person meeting since October 2024, when they met on the margins of the BRICS summit in Kazan.
India and Russia: trade and energy on the table
New Delhi has been looking to rebalance its trade with Moscow. While Russia remains India’s fourth-largest trading partner, the trade deficit is firmly in Russia’s favour. India wants to increase exports in medicines, agricultural products, and textiles, and has urged Moscow to dismantle non-tariff barriers that restrict access for Indian goods.
The issue of energy will also be central. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar discussed cooperation in Moscow on 22 August, including joint extraction projects in the Russian Far East and Arctic shelf. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also travelled to Russia earlier in August. Reports suggest President Putin is likely to visit India in December for the annual India-Russia summit.
Modi-Xi talks: border peace and trade ties
On Sunday, Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their first since Kazan last year. Both leaders “welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations” and emphasised that India and China are “development partners, not rivals”. They agreed that “differences should not turn into disputes” and underlined the importance of stability for economic growth and development in both countries, and for the wider balance of Asia.
Modi highlighted the importance of “peace and tranquillity in the border areas” as a foundation for broader relations. The two leaders expressed satisfaction over disengagement achieved last year and the continuing calm along the frontier. They also supported the efforts of their Special Representatives, who met earlier this month to advance talks on the boundary question.
Economic ties featured prominently. Both sides spoke of building a “political and strategic direction to expand bilateral trade and investment ties and reduce the trade deficit”. They also agreed to boost people-to-people links, including more direct flights, easier visas, and cultural exchanges such as the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.
Modi invited Xi to attend the BRICS summit India will host in 2026. Xi accepted the invitation and offered China’s support for India’s BRICS presidency.
Regional outreach in Tianjin
Modi’s engagements in Tianjin also included a bilateral meeting with Myanmar’s acting President and military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The Prime Minister underlined that India attaches importance to its relations with Myanmar under its “Neighbourhood First”, “Act East”, and Indo-Pacific policies. The two leaders reviewed development partnerships, defence and security ties, border management, and cross-border trade.
At the official SCO reception, hosted by President Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan, Modi joined Putin, other heads of state, and senior delegations for a family photograph and banquet. Russian President Vladimir Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other senior officials, according to TASS.
India’s role in the SCO
India joined the SCO in 2017 after more than a decade as an observer. It has since chaired both the Council of Heads of Government in 2020 and the Council of Heads of State from 2022 to 2023. The SCO now includes ten full members: India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Several dialogue partners and observers also attend, making the summit an important platform for regional diplomacy.
The timing of this year’s summit is especially important for India. It comes as New Delhi navigates strained trade ties with Washington, pressure over energy imports, and the need to balance its relationships with both Moscow and Beijing.
You may also like
Delhi: Yamuna crosses danger mark, flows above 205.33 metres
Volodymyr Zelensky issues major update after top Ukrainian politician shot dead
Adam Zampa's 21,000 Mile Trek Worthwhile As Invincibles Win Hundred Final
School holiday September 1: Educational institutes in these states to remain closed on Monday amid heavy rains, Onam
Tempest OTT release in India: When and where to watch Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won's political thriller K-drama online
