Soon after videos and photographs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting the Presidents of Russia and China during the SCO Summit in Tianjin had gone viral on the social media, the United States on Monday termed India-US relations a "defining relationship of the 21st century," underlining the continued expansion of relations between the two countries.
"The partnership between the United States and India continues to reach new heights — a defining relationship of the 21st century. 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 US Embassy in New Delhi quoted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying in a post on X.
Observers noted the timing of the statement, which coincided with international media coverage of PM Modi’s warm interactions with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, captured just before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit began in Tianjin on Monday morning.
After the summit, PM Modi engaged in important discussions with President Putin before returning to New Delhi.
The dialogue took place against the background of US President Donald Trump slapping a 50 percent tariff on Indian products, citing what he called unfair trade practices and India's unwillingness to stop the ongoing imports of Russian crude oil.
Analysts say, though, that by continuing to buy Russian energy, India has helped thwart a global crisis, stabilize markets, and manage inflation both at home and abroad.
Russia, the second-largest crude oil producer in the world at a production level of about 9.5 million barrels per day—close to 10 percent of the world's demand—is also the second-largest exporter, exporting about 4.5 mb/d of crude and 2.3 mb/d of refined products.
India, according to many experts, has literally provided a financial lifeline to the world by maintaining oil supplies, prices, and well-balanced markets.
Whereas President Trump is yet to announce his visit to India for the next Quad Summit, President Putin will visit India in December for the annual bilateral summit.
