The men shared bear hugs, showered praise on each other and made appearances side by side at stadium rallies - a big optics boost for two populist leaders with ideological similarities. Each called the other a good friend.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a defiant tone in the face of US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, urging the nation to buy local goods as his administration signaled it would continue buying Russian oil.

President Donald Trump on Monday said he will “substantially” punish India in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s continued oil trade with Russia and refusal to cut ties with President Vladimir Putin.