DEVELOPING: Modi and Putin affirm special relationship as India faces steep US tariffs over Russian oil imports

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE Modi and Putin affirm special relationship as India faces steep US tariffs over Russian oil imports September 1, 20253:56 PM ET By The Associated Press Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. KEY DETAILS: • Vladimir SmirnovAPPool Sputnik Kremlin hide caption toggle caption Vladimir SmirnovAPPool Sputnik Kremlin TIANJIN, China Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of a regional summit in China on Monday in a show of deepening ties when New Delhi's relations with Washington are strained over the purchase of Russian oil. • The two leaders held talks after attending the key session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering in the port city of Tianjin, where discussions focused on regional stability, bilateral trade and energy cooperation. • In his remarks to open the talks, Modi termed the partnership with Moscow as "special and privileged." Putin addressed Modi as a "dear friend" and hailed Russia's ties with India as special, friendly and trusting. This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available. *Source: Npr*