At the heart of the summit, Modi and Putin reaffirmed their “special and privileged” relationship, even as New Delhi faces steep 50 per cent tariffs imposed by Washington in response to India's purchase of discounted Russian oil. India defended its energy imports as vital for national energy security, pointing to its needs rather than geopolitical alignment.
Meanwhile, the thaw in India–China ties, highlighted by Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and renewed engagement on connectivity and direct flights, signals an emerging diplomatic rapprochement motivated by shared frustration over U. S. trade policy. Beijing, for its part, appears keen to position itself as a stable partner for India, even as structural mistrust and border disputes remain unresolved.
U. S. Congressman Ro Khanna cautioned that Trump’s tariffs risk pushing India into the arms of Russia and China, potentially undermining decades of bipartisan work in fostering strategic ties between the U. S. and India. The tariffs, initially introduced as a 25 per cent reciprocal levy and later doubled with an added 25 per cent penalty tied to energy and defence purchases, have plunged bilateral ties into crisis, triggering backlash in Washington and prompting fears of long-lasting damage.
In the thick of these developments, Edward Price, Adjunct Instructor at NYU’s Centre for Global Affairs, remarked that Modi is “playing his cards” and signalling to the U. S. that India has choices — a nuanced diplomatic gesture reflecting India’s balancing act between major power blocs. Price further emphasised that while India, China and Russia may display public warmth, historical tensions—border disputes with China, long-standing Indo–Russian civilisational ties, and Sino–Russian friction—suggest they are far from natural allies.
Across the diplomatic landscape, Modi’s posture at SCO is being interpreted as both reassurance to partners and a warning to adversaries. His open show of camaraderie with Putin and Xi served as a subtle reminder to Washington that India values its multi-aligned approach and may pursue alternatives if pressed too hard.
This shift in posture reflects a broader recalibration in India’s foreign policy. While maintaining its deep democratic ties with the West, including strategic partnerships under the Quad framework, India appears increasingly comfortable asserting its multi-vector diplomacy. Its continuing engagements with projects such as Chabahar and the International North–South Transport Corridor further reinforce this ethos of diversified partnerships.