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Modi: Russia and India are united in difficult times

Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, told Vladimir Putin that India and Russia stand shoulder-to-shoulder even in difficult circumstances after the Kremlin Chief cast the Indian PM as his "dear Friend" and gave him an armoured limousine.

China and India are two of the largest buyers of Russian crude oil, the second-largest exporter in the world. Trump has imposed extra tariffs on India for the purchases, but there are no signs that India or China will stop the purchases.

Modi and Putin walked together towards Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting (SCO), which was held in the port city of Tianjin. The three men were surrounded by interpreters as they smiled and spoke.

Modi later posted a photo on X showing him and Putin in the armored Russian Aurus Limousine used by the Kremlin Chief. Modi said to Putin during the bilateral meeting that India had remained united with Russia even through difficult times.

Modi stated that India and Russia had always stood shoulder to shoulder, even in the most difficult of situations. "Our close collaboration is important for both peoples, but also for peace, stability, and prosperity in the world."

Putin called Modi "Dear Prime Minister, dear Friend" during the bilateral meeting.

"Russian and India have had special, long-lasting relations that are friendly and trusting. "This is the basis for the development and growth of our future relations," Putin said.

Modi welcomed recent efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

"We hope all parties will move ahead constructively." Modi stated that a way must be found to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible and to establish a permanent peace.

Putin has offered rides on occasion to other leaders or politicians when he travels abroad in the Aurus.

Gifts

The vehicle is the same as what he gave to Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader in 2024. (Reporting and writing by Maxim Rodionov in Moscow, with Sakshi Dayal; editing by Guy Faulconbridge.

(source: Reuters)