Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin had an extensive conversation that touched upon several key issues, such as the latest Ukraine developments and a move forward on their bilateral agenda.
They spoke against the backdrop of worldwide trade uncertainties caused by US President Donald Trump's recent announcement of tariffs.
Received very good and extensive discussion with my friend President Putin. Expressed gratitude to him for sharing recent updates on Ukraine. Also discussed the developments in our bilateral agenda, and confirmed our intention to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Looking forward to welcoming President Putin in India later this year," PM Modi wrote on X.
Welcoming Putin's detailed briefing, Modi reaffirmed India's consistent position of an end to the war in Ukraine through peaceful means. The telephonic conversation followed on the heels of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval's meeting with President Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday.
The conversation also came after US President Trump took the step to levy extra tariffs on India's oil imports from Russia.
India termed the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," stressing that its imports are market-driven and intended to provide energy requirements to its 1.4 billion people.
The last visit of President Putin to India was on December 6, 2021, as part of the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in Delhi.
In the meantime, PM Modi made two important visits to Russia during the previous year, visiting the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October.
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