New Delhi, Feb 26:
In the world of high-stakes international relations, where every move is typically governed by rigid protocols, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pioneered a new, informal trend: Car Diplomacy.
From the streets of Jerusalem to the highways of Moscow and Mumbai, shared car rides between PM Modi and world leaders have become the ultimate symbol of personal chemistry, trust, and a “special” degree of bilateral comfort.
The “Aurus” Spark: Where it All Began
The trend gained global traction during the SCO Summit in 2025, when Russian President Vladimir Putin invited PM Modi to join him in his custom-made Russian Aurus sedan. Putin later remarked that the ride was his idea—a symbolic gesture of a friendship that goes beyond formal joint statements. The duo repeated this in New Delhi in late 2025, traveling together in a Toyota Fortuner to a private dinner at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
From Jerusalem to Paris: The “Jai Ho” Momentum
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Israel: The rapport between PM Modi and PM Benjamin Netanyahu is well-documented, often featuring unscripted moments during state visits where the two leaders travel together, signaling a “blood and sacrifice” bond between the two nations.
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France: Most recently in February 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron shared a ride with PM Modi in Mumbai. The drive to the India-France Innovation Forum was capped off by Macron’s viral “Jai Ho” comment, celebrating a partnership recently upgraded to a ‘special global strategic partnership.’
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UK: During British PM Keir Starmer’s first official visit to India in early 2026, the two were seen sharing a ride to the Global Fintech Fest, with Modi tweeting that the India-UK friendship is “on the move.”
A Global Trend: Breaking Protocol for the “Personal Touch”
It isn’t just the P5 leaders; PM Modi’s car diplomacy has extended to a “Hexagon” of strategic allies:
| Leader | Country | Context of the “Shared Ride” |
| Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed | UAE | PM Modi broke protocol to receive him at the airport; the “brothers” drove together to the city. |
| Abiy Ahmed | Ethiopia | The Nobel Laureate personally chauffeured PM Modi, making an unscheduled stop at a Science Museum. |
| Anwar Ibrahim | Malaysia | Greeted with a hug at the airport, the two drove together to highlight deep people-to-people ties. |
| Crown Prince Al Hussein | Jordan | The 31-year-old Prince personally drove the Indian PM to the Jordan Museum in a BMW. |
| Friedrich Merz | Germany | The new Chancellor shared a ride with Modi in early 2026, emphasizing shared values and “mutual understanding.” |
Diplomatic experts suggest these “unscripted” journeys serve a strategic purpose. While formal meetings are for policy, the “in-car” moments allow for candid, off-the-record conversations that build genuine rapport.
As India positions itself as a leading voice of the Global South and a “Vishwa Bandhu” (Friend of the World), these viral car moments project an image of a Prime Minister who is as approachable as he is authoritative on the world stage.
