Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled together in the same car on Monday as they headed to the opening ceremony of the sixth World Nomad Games at Bishkek Arena in Kyrgyzstan.
The unusual ride came shortly after the two leaders held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.
The joint car journey has drawn attention because it reflects the warm personal equation between Modi and Putin. It is also not the first time the two leaders have shared a car during an international event.
They travelled together during the previous SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, last year. Putin also rode with Modi during his visit to India in December last year.
Modi and Putin hold key bilateral meeting
Before travelling to the World Nomad Games, Modi met Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. During the meeting, Putin praised Modi for his “personal attention” to India-Russia relations. The two leaders also shared a hug and handshake as they met.
Modi used the meeting to underline India’s position on the ongoing conflict. He called for efforts to move towards an end to the fighting. "We must move away from endless war towards an end to the war," Prime Minister Modi told the Russian President.
The two leaders also discussed their future diplomatic engagements. Modi formally invited Putin to attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi. India will host the summit in September.
"We are eager to welcome you to India for the BRICS Summit in New Delhi this September," PM Modi said. He added that Putin’s visit would "further strengthen India-Russia relations."
Putin thanked Modi for his continued attention to the bilateral relationship. "I'm very grateful to you for your personal attention to the Russia-India relationship," President Vladimir Putin said. The Russian president’s remarks highlighted the importance he places on Modi’s role in maintaining strong ties between the two countries.
Modi continues ‘car diplomacy’
Modi’s joint car ride with Putin is part of a growing pattern that has been described as “car diplomacy”. The prime minister has shared similar journeys with foreign leaders during recent international visits. The trend gained wider attention after Modi and Putin travelled together to their bilateral meeting during the SCO Summit in Tianjin in 2025.
Putin later repeated the gesture during his visit to India in December last year. Modi has now continued the informal diplomatic tradition during his Kyrgyzstan visit.
Modi travels with Uzbekistan President
Modi was also seen travelling by car with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his visit to Tashkent. Mirziyoyev personally received Modi when he arrived in Uzbekistan late on Saturday.
The prime minister received a grand welcome, which included the playing of Uzbekistan’s national anthem, "O`zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi". Modi later thanked Mirziyoyev for the warm reception.
“Landed in Tashkent to a warm welcome by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Grateful to him for the special gesture.” The two leaders travelled together from the airport to the presidential palace.
They later held a dinner meeting and discussed bilateral relations. Images from the meeting also showed Modi and Mirziyoyev sharing a hug. The repeated use of informal settings such as shared car journeys has added a personal touch to Modi’s diplomatic engagements.
The Modi-Putin car ride in Bishkek, therefore, comes as another example of how informal interactions between leaders can highlight close diplomatic relationships alongside formal meetings.