The meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China, has sparked discussions in Brussels about India's role in global geopolitics. Despite India's ties with Russia, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa have welcomed Modi's engagement with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy, emphasizing India's potential in fostering peace. The EU seeks to strengthen ties with India, viewing it as a key partner amid shifting global dynamics, especially in light of deteriorating US-India relations under Donald Trump's policies. Both sides recognize the untapped potential in their bilateral relations, aiming for a free trade deal by the end of the year.