 "For 50 minutes, PM Modi and Putin didn’t deboard limousine for private conversation: Russian radio")
In a rare gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Prime Minister Narendra Modi a ride in his AURUS limousine to the venue of their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Monday.
According to an NDTV report, citing sources, President Putin waited for nearly 10 minutes to be joined by PM Modi.
“The two leaders continued their one-to-one dialogue on the way to the hotel where they were to be joined by members of their teams. However, on reaching the hotel they did not deboard the Russian president’s limousine and continued their conversation for 50 minutes,” PTI quoted Russian national radio station VestiFM as saying.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that the two leaders held a tete-a-tete in the car for nearly an hour.
PM Modi also shared a photo on social media showing him alongside President Putin inside the limousine.
After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful. pic.twitter.com/oYZVGDLxtc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025
“After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful,” PM Modi wrote on X.
According to the PTI report, commentators in Moscow have suggested that the private conversation between PM Modi and President Putin — held inside the Russian leader’s limousine — may have been the most significant and confidential exchange between the two leaders, likely covering topics “not for the ears of others.”
During their subsequent bilateral talks on the sidelines of the SCO summit, PM Modi made a direct appeal for peace in Ukraine.
“The call of humanity is to end the conflict as soon as possible and find ways to bring permanent peace to the region,” PM Modi told Putin.
He also extended an invitation to the Russian president, saying India is looking forward to welcoming him.
After the meeting, PM Modi described his meeting with Putin as ‘excellent’ and said that the leaders discussed a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict among other things.
“Had an excellent meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin. Discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors, including trade, fertilisers, space, security and culture. We exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership remains a vital pillar of regional and global stability,” PM Modi said on X.
Putin is expected to visit India in December for summit-level talks with PM Modi.
With inputs from agencies
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