Amid US Tariffs, Modi Holds “Detailed Conversation” With Putin

NEW DELHI/MOSCOW -Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 8 held a “very good and detailed conversation” with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone, during which both leaders not only vowed to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership but also held detailed discussions on developments concerning Ukraine.

“Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year,” PM Modi posted on X after the phone call.

While thanking President Putin for his detailed assessment, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.

The phone call took place less than 24 hours after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on the Russian President at the Kremlin on August 7 evening.

The important meeting came in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose additional tariffs on India for importing oil from Russia.

President Putin’s visit to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit is being planned as part of the ongoing commitment to annual meetings between the two leaders.

Citing that the political dialogue between India and Russia is “developing dynamically” and is facilitated by the fact that Moscow and New Delhi “have close or even coinciding views on the objectively emerging multipolar world order”, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that preparations are being made for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to India. (IANS)