Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, in a show of deepening ties when New Delhi’s relations with Washington are strained over the purchase of Russian oil.

Modi told Putin the two countries stood side by side even in difficult times, after the Russian leader called the Indian premier his "dear friend" and gave him a lift in his armoured limousine.

In his remarks to open the talks, Modi termed the partnership with Moscow as “special and privileged.”

"Even in the most difficult situations, India and Russia have always walked shoulder to shoulder," he said.

"Our close cooperation is important not only for the people of both countries but also for global peace, stability and prosperity."

Putin, for his part, addressed Modi as a “dear friend” and hailed Russia’s ties with India as special, friendly and trusting.

“Russia and India have maintained special relations for decades. Friendly, trusting. This is the foundation for the development of our relations in the future,” Putin said.

“These relations are absolutely non-partisan in nature, supported by the overwhelming majority of the peoples of our countries.”

Modi also said he welcomed recent efforts aimed at stopping the war in Ukraine, which he hopes would end as soon as possible.

“To end the conflict soonest and establish peace permanently, we need to find out a way. It’s a call of the entire humanity,” he said.

Also on the sidelines of the SCO summit, Putin met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said Ankara was working to find a fair and lasting end to the war in Ukraine and that talks between the parties in Istanbul were contributing to peace efforts.

Putin praised Turkey's mediation attempts.

A statement by the Turkey's presidency said the two leaders also discussed bilateral ties, peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Israel's attacks on Gaza and developments in Syria. (Agencies)