Zillar Barta Desk : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian travelled alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin in Putin’s official Aurus Senat limousine following their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
The unusual diplomatic gesture drew attention as the two leaders were seen sharing the Russian president’s heavily armoured state vehicle. The Aurus Senat is Russia’s official presidential limousine and is designed with extensive security features.
The meeting between Putin and Pezeshkian comes amid deepening strategic ties between Moscow and Tehran. Both countries have sought to strengthen cooperation in areas including energy, transportation, trade and investment. Iranian officials have also repeatedly emphasised the importance of accelerating the implementation of strategic agreements with Russia.
The car ride was reminiscent of Putin’s recent “car diplomacy” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi and Putin also travelled together in the Russian president’s Aurus limousine following their bilateral meeting at the SCO-related events in Bishkek.
The high-profile journey involving Pezeshkian and Putin is being viewed as another visible symbol of the close diplomatic relationship between Russia and Iran.
