Modi-Putin’s limousine ride at the SCO Summit sparks social media frenzy, topping Weibo and Baidu trends. Leaders shared a private, 50-minute conversation on Ukraine, bilateral ties, and global peace, showcasing warmth and camaraderie.
What started as a routine bilateral engagement at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit turned into a social media sensation, with Chinese netizens making Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin the top trending topic.
On Monday, the hashtag “Modi takes Putin’s car” topped Weibo, while the phrase “Modi and Putin hugged and chatted hand-in-hand” surged to number one on Chinese search engine Baidu. The reason? A remarkable display of camaraderie and close dialogue between the two leaders inside President Putin’s AURUS limousine.
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Conversations on Wheels: Modi-Putin in a Limousine
According to Russian national radio station VestiFM, Modi was offered a lift by Putin to the venue of their bilateral talks.
“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,” the report stated.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that the leaders had a tet-a-tet inside the car for about an hour, highlighting the importance of their discussions.
Modi shared a photo on social media showing the two leaders inside the limousine, captioning it:
“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.”
Commentators in Moscow suggest this private ride may have been the most confidential conversation between the two leaders, likely covering issues “not for the ears of others.”
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Focus on Ukraine and Bilateral Ties
During their formal talks, Modi conveyed to Putin that “it is humanity’s call to end the Ukraine conflict as soon as possible”. He emphasised the need to find ways to bring permanent peace to the region.
The prime minister also highlighted the strong India-Russia relationship, saying:
“India and Russia always moved forward shoulder-to-shoulder even in difficult times… Close relations between India and Russia are significant for global peace, stability and prosperity.”
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions also covered economic, financial, and energy cooperation. Modi expressed satisfaction at the sustained growth in bilateral ties and welcomed recent efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, calling for constructive engagement from all sides.
Putin is expected to travel to India in December for summit talks with Modi, further reinforcing the two countries’ Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
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Social Media Buzz: Humanity Meets Diplomacy
What caught the imagination of Chinese netizens was not just the political significance, but the human side of diplomacy—two world leaders laughing, conversing hand-in-hand, and sharing a ride. The intimate setting of the limousine, combined with their visible ease, made the interaction a trending sensation.
From Weibo to Baidu, the story resonated with millions, proving that even in high-stakes diplomacy, moments of genuine personal connection can capture global attention.