NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s camaraderie at SCO Summit 2025 has become a top talking point on Chinese social media. The number one search trend on Chinese search engine Baidu on Monday read: “Modi and Putin hugged and chatted hand-in-hand,” reflecting the buzz over the leaders’ visible warmth at the summit.The two leaders greeted each other with smiles and a shared a hug upon reaching the venue. PM Modi and Putin also shared a car ride together in Putin’s official Aurus Senat limousine, a gesture that drew widespread attention online. According to reports, the Russian President waited nearly 10 minutes for the PM Modi so that they could travel together from the SCO conference venue to the site of their bilateral meeting. The journey, which began as a short transfer, reportedly extended by 45 minutes as they continued their conversation even after reaching the venue and did not board.In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted the interaction, saying, “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.”The bilateral meeting that followed lasted over an hour, during which both leaders reviewed ties across multiple sectors. “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 wrote on X.PM Modi reiterated India’s support for peace initiatives in Ukraine and emphasised the urgency of bringing the conflict to an end through a durable settlement.