After the Shanghai Summit in Tianjin, China, an image surfaced that might irk U.S. President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin chose to ride together to their bilateral meeting. Despite Trump's numerous efforts to disrupt India-Russia relations, they appear ineffective as Modi and Putin opted for a personal touch by sharing the same vehicle even before formal discussions.
Modi-Putin: Fellow Travelers in China!
The vehicle provided by the Chinese government for foreign dignitaries became a symbol of unity when Putin and Modi decided to travel together for their talks. This image also sends a message to Trump since the U.S. suggested India could benefit from tariff reductions if it stops purchasing Russian oil. Nevertheless, prioritizing its citizens' interests and global stability, India continues sourcing oil from Russia.
PM Modi posted an image on [platform] saying, 'After proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I went together to the bilateral discussion venue. Dialogues with him are always enlightening.' India and Russia have long-standing ties which have strengthened with time, even in a changing world.
The U.S. Displeased with India-Russia Friendship
The U.S. has imposed a hefty 50% tariff on India, citing its oil purchases from Russia. Despite this, India stands firm in valuing its friendship with Russia and has unequivocally refused to bow to U.S. pressure. India deems the American tariff unfair and asserts its commitment to protecting its citizens' interests at any cost.
India and Russia are not only diplomatic and cultural partners but share significant defense collaborations. Besides oil, India's defense arsenal benefiting from its cooperation with Russia includes the BrahMos missile, MiG fighters, the S-400 air defense system, and Sukhoi jets. By 2025, India has plans to acquire over $60 billion worth of defense equipment from Russia, making up about 60% of its total imports.
