World Leaders Converge at SCO Summit: Modi, Xi, and Putin Signal Unity Amid US Tariff Tensions

This informal car ride echoed past gestures of friendship between Modi and Putin, such as their 2024 golf cart drive in Moscow, but gained added significance amid US pressures. India, now facing one of the highest US tariff rates alongside Brazil, has defended its Russian oil imports - valued at $52 billion last year, as essential for energy security and compliant with international norms. The tariffs risk slashing India's GDP growth by 0.3-0.5% and disrupting supply chains, prompting Delhi to explore diversification and relief measures for exporters. In response, Modi emphasised during the summit that "no double standards on terrorism will be acceptable," aligning with the declaration's call to combat cross-border threats.

Modi's bilateral with Xi, his first in-person meeting with the Chinese leader in seven years, focused on stabilising ties strained since the 2020 Galwan clashes. They discussed economic cooperation, border peace, and mutual concerns like terrorism, with Modi noting both nations as "victims" of the scourge. Xi proposed viewing each other as "partners, not rivals," signalling a thaw amid shared frustrations with US policies. The declaration's rejection of "unilateral coercive measures, including those of an economic nature," reinforced this unity, implicitly targeting US sanctions and tariffs that violate WTO principles.​