Modi and Putin affirm special relationship as India faces steep US tariffs over Russian oil imports

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.

The two leaders held talks after attending the key session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering in the port city of Tianjin, where discussions focused on regional stability, bilateral trade and energy cooperation.

(Image credit: Vladimir Smirnov/AP)