As India’s ties with the US are thrown off kilter because of President Donald Trump’s unprecedented targeting of India for its trade with Russia, PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Friday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen India-Russia relations.
The conversation took place a day after Modi’s show of Global South solidarity with another BRICS State, Brazil, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called him to discuss ways to counter Trump’s imposition of unilateral tariffs.
Underlining India’s “consistent” and “unwavering” support for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means, Modi told Putin he was looking forward to hosting him for the annual India-Russia summit later this year. Putin briefed Modi about developments related to the Russia-Ukraine war, including his talks this week with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. Ahead of his proposed meeting with Trump, Putin also briefed Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping Friday about Ukraine.
While dates for Putin’s India visit are still being worked out, the leaders are expected to meet later this month in Tianjin for the SCO summit. An official announcement by India is still awaited but China practically confirmed Modi’s participation as its foreign ministry said Friday that “China welcomes PM Modi to China for the SCO Tianjin summit” and that leaders of all member-states will attend the meetings.
Except the last SCO summit in Kazakhstan, Modi has participated in most such meetings of the Eurasian bloc in the past but his likely presence alongside Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a time India’s ties with the US have gone into a tailspin, is unlikely to be overlooked in Washington. The summit begins August 31, days after Trump’s additional 25 percent tariff on India will come into effect in case both sides are unable to reach a trade agreement.
“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,” Modi himself said in a post on X.
NSA Ajit Doval, who called on Putin this week, had said in Moscow on Thursday that the date for the India-Russia annual summit had been almost finalised. Doval had said on Thursday that the date for Putin’s visit, which has been on the cards since late last year, has been almost finalised. Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India for its energy imports from Russia, even though China continues to purchase more from Moscow.
According to an Indian readout, Putin briefed Modi about the latest developments related to the war with Ukraine. “While thanking President Putin for his detailed assessment, Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position for peaceful resolution of the conflict,” said the Indian statement. Putin is likely to meet Trump soon as the latter works to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
It’s in India’s interest that the war be stopped soon as that would render untenable Trump’s secondary sanctions against India. Modi again invited Putin to India later this year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. As of now, Putin’s visit is likely to take place either in November or early December, according to government sources.
The conversation took place a day after Modi’s show of Global South solidarity with another BRICS State, Brazil, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called him to discuss ways to counter Trump’s imposition of unilateral tariffs.
Underlining India’s “consistent” and “unwavering” support for resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means, Modi told Putin he was looking forward to hosting him for the annual India-Russia summit later this year. Putin briefed Modi about developments related to the Russia-Ukraine war, including his talks this week with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff. Ahead of his proposed meeting with Trump, Putin also briefed Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping Friday about Ukraine.
While dates for Putin’s India visit are still being worked out, the leaders are expected to meet later this month in Tianjin for the SCO summit. An official announcement by India is still awaited but China practically confirmed Modi’s participation as its foreign ministry said Friday that “China welcomes PM Modi to China for the SCO Tianjin summit” and that leaders of all member-states will attend the meetings.
Except the last SCO summit in Kazakhstan, Modi has participated in most such meetings of the Eurasian bloc in the past but his likely presence alongside Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a time India’s ties with the US have gone into a tailspin, is unlikely to be overlooked in Washington. The summit begins August 31, days after Trump’s additional 25 percent tariff on India will come into effect in case both sides are unable to reach a trade agreement.
“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,” Modi himself said in a post on X.
NSA Ajit Doval, who called on Putin this week, had said in Moscow on Thursday that the date for the India-Russia annual summit had been almost finalised. Doval had said on Thursday that the date for Putin’s visit, which has been on the cards since late last year, has been almost finalised. Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India for its energy imports from Russia, even though China continues to purchase more from Moscow.
According to an Indian readout, Putin briefed Modi about the latest developments related to the war with Ukraine. “While thanking President Putin for his detailed assessment, Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position for peaceful resolution of the conflict,” said the Indian statement. Putin is likely to meet Trump soon as the latter works to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
It’s in India’s interest that the war be stopped soon as that would render untenable Trump’s secondary sanctions against India. Modi again invited Putin to India later this year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. As of now, Putin’s visit is likely to take place either in November or early December, according to government sources.
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