TIANJIN (CHINA): India and Russia stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” even in most difficult situations and their ties are crucial for global peace and stability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, amid a major downturn in New Delhi’s ties with the US.

Modi and Putin met on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) with a focus on expanding bilateral cooperation in economic, financial, and energy sectors.

In his televised remarks, Modi also said that 140 crore Indians are “eagerly waiting” to welcome the Russian leader in India in December.