US Calls India Ties “Defining Relationship” Ahead of Modi-Putin Meet at SCO

Minutes before Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Washington signaled its intent to deepen ties with New Delhi.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described India-US ties as a “defining relationship of the 21st century,” highlighting growing cooperation in defense, trade, and innovation. “It’s the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey,” Rubio said in a statement shared by the US Embassy.

The remarks came as Prime Minister Modi exchanged warm greetings with President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin. Modi and Putin were seen walking hand in hand before joining Xi, with the trio sharing an animated conversation that set off speculation about the subject of discussion. Their display of camaraderie was widely read as a signal that India will not bow to US pressure over its longstanding ties with Moscow.

The SCO summit comes against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports, imposed after New Delhi refused to halt Russian oil purchases. India has rejected the US measures as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” insisting its energy imports are vital for the needs of 1.4 billion people.

In a significant outcome, SCO member states backed India’s position on terrorism, condemning the recent Pahalgam attack and echoing Modi’s message that “double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable.” With Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in attendance, the declaration was seen as a diplomatic win for India.

The summit also criticized recent military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, calling them violations of international law and a threat to global stability.