Tianjin: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, Monday, September 01, 2025. (IANS/PMO)
Tianjin (China), September 1 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said that Moscow and New Delhi continue to further develop their multifaceted bilateral partnership which remains "absolutely non-partisan in nature", backed by people of both countries.
"Russia and India have maintained special relations for decades – friendly, trusting. This is the foundation for the development of our relations in the future, and these relations are absolutely non-partisan in nature, supported by the overwhelming majority of the peoples of our countries," Putin said during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in China's Tianjin, on Monday.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, including in the economic, financial, and energy sectors and expressed satisfaction with the sustained growth in bilateral ties in these areas.
"It is symbolic that it (meeting) is taking place on the sidelines of the SCO summit, an organisation that allows for the unification of the efforts of the heads of state of the Global South and East, efforts to create an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia," said the Russian President.
"Dear Mr. Prime Minister, dear friend! December 21 marks 15 years since the adoption of the Joint Statement, which noted the emergence of our relations at the level of a special privileged strategic partnership. It can be confidently stated that multifaceted Russian-Indian relations are actively developing on these principles," he added.
Putin highlighted that multi-level interaction has been established between both countries with trade and economic cooperation as a whole demonstrating positive dynamics.
"Tourist exchange is developing. We closely coordinate our efforts in the international arena: the UN, BRICS, the Group of Twenty and, of course, the SCO. And today [we have] a good opportunity to discuss the main tasks of further development of multifaceted bilateral cooperation in various areas," he stated.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders also discussed regional and global issues, including the latest developments concerning Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi reiterated his support for the recent initiatives that have been taken to address the conflict in Ukraine, and emphasised the need to expedite a cessation of the conflict, and find a durable peace settlement.
During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their support for further strengthening of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi conveyed to President Putin that he was looking forward to receiving him in India for the 23rd Annual Summit later this year.
Call of humanity to end Ukraine conflict: PM Modi to Putin during bilateral meet
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, welcomed the recent efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and said that the entire humanity wants an end to the war and restoration of peace and stability.
He also called on the involved parties to proceed further with the resolution "constructively."
"We welcome all the recent efforts in the direction of resolving the conflict. We hope that all the involved parties will proceed further constructively. We will have to figure out ways to end the conflict as soon as possible to restore the regional stability and peace. This is the call of the entire humanity," PM Modi said.
Following the meeting, he took to X and posted, "Had an excellent meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin."
He said that both leaders discussed ways to "deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors", including trade, fertilisers, space, security and culture.
"We exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership remains a vital pillar of regional and global stability," PM Modi added.
Earlier, both the leaders boarded the same car to the venue of the bilateral meeting.
In his opening remarks at the SCO Summit, Putin said that he highly valued the contributions of India and other strategic partners in facilitating a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
"We highly value the efforts and proposals of China, India and our other strategic partners, aimed at facilitating the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Putin said, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The Russian President also mentioned that "understandings" he reached with US President Donald Trump at a summit in August opened up path to peace in Ukraine.
PM Modi has consistently reiterated India's position for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and New Delhi's support for all efforts in this regard.
Quite significantly, just as he arrived in China from Japan on Saturday, PM Modi received a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, informing him about the negotiations with US President Donald Trump in Washington involving European leaders.
According to Zelensky, during the "productive, important conversation", India said that it is ready to make the necessary efforts and "convey the appropriate signal to Russia" and other leaders during meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Putin, says India and Russia 'always walked shoulder-to-shoulder'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of SCO Summit on Monday and said that the close cooperation of both nations is important for the peace, prosperity and stability in the world.
Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the relations between the two nations and exchanged views on issues of regional and global importance.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the recent efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and said that the involved parties will have to proceed further "constructively."
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, and I always request that every meeting with you becomes a memorable one. It provides an opportunity to exchange a lot of information. We remain in constant contact and have held several bilateral meetings," PM Modi said in his opening remarks during the meeting.
Putin is also scheduled to visit India in December.
The Prime Minister said that the 1.40 crore Indians are "eagerly waiting" for the Russian President's arrival for the 23rd India-Russia Summit in December.
"This is the definition of our deep, 'special and privileged strategic partnership'," PM Modi said.
Highlighting the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, he said, "In the most difficult times also, India and Russia have always walked shoulder-to-shoulder with each other. Our close cooperation is not only important for the people of both countries but also for the peace, prosperity and stability in the world."
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi said that India welcomes all the recent efforts in the direction of resolving the conflict.
"We hope that all the involved parties will proceed further constructively. We will have to figure out ways to end the conflict as soon as possible to restore the regional stability and peace. This is the call of the entire humanity," PM Modi added.
Earlier, both the leaders boarded the same car to the venue of the bilateral meeting.
In his opening remarks at the SCO Summit, Putin said that he highly valued the contributions of India and other strategic partners in facilitating a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
"We highly value the efforts and proposals of China, India and our other strategic partners, aimed at facilitating the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Putin said, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The Russian President also mentioned that "understandings" he reached with US President Donald Trump at a summit in August opened up path to peace in Ukraine.
"The understandings reached at the recent Russian-American summit in Alaska, I hope, are also moving in this direction, opening the way to peace in Ukraine," Putin said, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
Earlier in the day, on the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi posted a photo with Russian President Putin, where the two leaders were seen shaking hands and hugging.
Sharing the picture on X, PM Modi wrote, "Always a delight to meet President Putin!"
PM Modi has consistently reiterated India's position for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and New Delhi's support for all efforts in this regard.
Quite significantly, just as he arrived in China from Japan on Saturday, PM Modi received a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, informing him about the negotiations with US President Donald Trump in Washington involving European leaders.
According to Zelensky, during the "productive, important conversation", India said that it is ready to make the necessary efforts and "convey the appropriate signal to Russia" and other leaders during meetings on the sidelines of the SCO summit.
