Hugs and Carpools: PM Modi-Putin meeting steals the show at SCO in Tianjin

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, held in Tianjin, China, concluded with an unexpected highlight: the bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. What began as a routine diplomatic engagement transformed into a viral sensation, thanks to several unplanned moments capturing significant attention worldwide.

The most striking imagery emerged from the leaders journey to their meeting. Instead of separate transport, PM Modi and Putin shared a car, a spontaneous decision that reportedly surprised even Russian media. Reports suggest Putin waited for PM Modi, and the two leaders engaged in conversation for nearly 45 minutes, even after reaching their destination.

This unexpected carpool, along with their hand-in-hand stroll to the meeting venue and warm interactions, generated considerable buzz, particularly on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The Russian foreign ministry officially acknowledged the viral nature of the event, further amplifying its global reach.

Beyond the engaging optics, the meeting dealt with crucial geopolitical and economic matters. A primary focus was on India's continued purchase of Russian oil, a point of contention with the West.

While the United States has accused India of indirectly funding the Ukraine war through these purchases, India's stance remains firm, with the meeting serving as evidence of the ongoing energy cooperation between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's call for a swift resolution to the conflict and a durable peace settlement in Ukraine, a position acknowledged by President Putin.

Finally, the meeting confirmed the upcoming 23rd India-Russia annual summit, to be held in New Delhi.