A confidential car ride at the SCO summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed that he briefed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump during a private ride in his Aurus limousine. The conversation took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, where world leaders gathered on August 31 and September 1, 2025.

According to Russian state media, Modi joined Putin in the limousine for the journey to their scheduled bilateral meeting venue. What was expected to be a short 15-minute ride extended into an hour-long closed-door discussion inside the Russian-made vehicle.

“This is no secret, I told him (Modi) what we talked about in Alaska,” Putin told reporters at a press conference, referring to his meeting with Trump earlier this year. The remark was first reported by Russian news agency TASS.

Why the limousine mattered

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that the two leaders continued their dialogue inside the car even after arriving at the hotel where their delegations were waiting.

“He did not want to interrupt the important conversation. But the ‘home walls’ of the car also played a role,” Peskov explained. “They felt comfortable there, and that’s why they continued the conversation. The bilateral agenda is really more than intense.”

Experts in Moscow noted that Putin’s Aurus limousine is highly secure and shielded against eavesdropping. This likely made it the preferred setting for a sensitive exchange on bilateral ties and geopolitical issues.

Modi shares his perspective

Prime Minister Modi later posted a photo of himself and Putin inside the limousine, describing their talks as “always insightful.”

“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,” Modi wrote on social media.

Modi emphasized that India and Russia have stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” during difficult times and continue to view their relationship as crucial for global peace and stability.

What was likely discussed?

While neither leader disclosed details of their conversation beyond Putin’s brief mention of Trump, experts suggest the limousine ride may have been used to discuss matters “not for the ears of others.” Possible topics include:

• Outcomes of the Putin-Trump Alaska meeting.
• Energy and defense cooperation between India and Russia.
• The Ukraine conflict and its impact on India-Russia ties.
• Regional security issues, particularly in Asia amid shifting U.S.-China dynamics.

Given the timing—just months before Putin’s scheduled visit to India in December—the exchange likely shaped the agenda for the upcoming summit talks in New Delhi.

The symbolism of the moment

The unusual decision to prolong the meeting inside a secure car instead of a formal venue reflects both the trust between the two leaders and the sensitivity of the issues under discussion. Such informal yet highly confidential settings are rare in diplomacy and highlight the depth of the India-Russia partnership.

The image of Modi and Putin sharing a ride also carried symbolic weight, reinforcing India’s balancing act between Moscow, Washington, and Beijing at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions.

What comes next?

Putin is expected to visit India in December 2025 for the annual bilateral summit, where defense, trade, and energy cooperation will top the agenda. Modi has signaled that India sees Russia as a long-term partner despite global uncertainties.

As both countries navigate their roles in an evolving multipolar world, the private limousine talks in Tianjin may well be remembered as a moment where critical decisions were quietly shaped away from microphones and cameras.