New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said india and Russia are standing shoulder to shoulder even in difficult times. During his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Modi said cooperation between New Delhi and Moscow is important for global peace, stability and prosperity.

“India and Russia have always stood shoulder to shoulder even in the most difficult situations. Our close cooperation is important not only for the people of both countries but also for global peace, stability and prosperity. ’

The meeting comes at a time when the US has imposed a 50 per cent tax on Indian goods and a 25 per cent penalty on purchase of crude oil from Moscow at a discount. Speaking on the Ukraine war, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the peace efforts and hoped that all sides would move forward constructively and find ways to end the conflict.

“We have been constantly discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We welcome all recent efforts for peace. We hope that all sides will move forward constructively. The conflict must end as soon as possible and establish lasting peace. This is the call of all humanity. ’

“I have always felt that meeting you is an unforgettable experience. We have had the opportunity to share information on many issues. We have been in constant touch and the two sides have had regular high-level meetings. ’

Prime Minister Modi said that the people of India are looking forward to Russian President Putin’s visit to New Delhi in December this year. “1.4 billion Indians are waiting for you for our 23rd Summit to be held in December this year. This reflects the depth and breadth of special and privileged partnerships. ’

In the context of the Ukraine war, President Putin praised the efforts of India and China for a peaceful solution. He criticized Ukraine’s Western allies, claiming to have supported the coup in Kiev, saying it ultimately created a crisis in Ukraine.

“The crisis in Ukraine is not the result of an attack, but rather a coup in Kiev backed by Ukraine’s Western allies,” Putin said. Among all, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to maintain fairness and justice.

“We need to promote the right historical perspective of World War II,” Xi said. The Cold War mentality must be resisted, and confrontation and bullying practices must be stopped. The SCO Summit 2025 reflects the growing importance of multipolarity in global governance.

The summit assumes significance in the context of US President Donald Trump’s transaction-oriented policies alienating many of his allies.