While Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly greeted, hugged, and shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, a top American official characterized India-U.S. relations as the key to the next century.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to increasing cooperation, terming the bilateral relationship unprecedented."This month, we're spotlighting the people, progress, and possibilities driving us forward. From innovation and entrepreneurship to defense and bilateral ties, it's the enduring friendship between our two peoples that fuels this journey," the U.S. Embassy reported him as saying on X. His statement came just minutes prior to PM Modi's meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the summit.
The timing of Rubio’s statement is notable, as India, China, and Russia convene in Tianjin amid escalating U.S.-India trade tensions. President Donald Trump has imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian exports in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. India has defended its decision, emphasizing that buying Russian crude is essential to secure affordable energy for its population of 1.4 billion. New Delhi has condemned the U.S. tariffs as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable" and promised to take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests."
At the summit, the camaraderie between Modi, Putin, and Xi was on full display. The Indian and Russian leaders were even seen walking hand in hand before joining Xi for a lively exchange, sparking speculation about their conversation. The relaxed gestures and laughter between the three suggested a level of comfort that signals New Delhi’s unwillingness to bow to U.S. pressure at the cost of long-standing partnerships.
Adding to India’s diplomatic gains, the SCO jointly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year, reiterating Modi’s position that “double standards in the fight against terrorism are unacceptable.” The resolution carried extra weight as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present, making the statement a significant win for India.
The final declaration went further, strongly criticizing U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran in June. It stated: "Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including nuclear energy infrastructure, which resulted in the death of civilians, are a gross violation of the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter, and an infringement on the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They undermine regional and international security and have serious implications for global peace and stability,"
Read also| Watch | Pahalgam Attack a Challenge to Humanity, SCO Must Question Terror Support: Modi
