Further deepening strategic partnership, Modi and Putin’s response to US pressure.
The Indian Prime Minister announced on Friday on the social network “X” that he spoke to the Russian President on the phone and thanked him for sharing the latest developments in Ukraine.
The phone call took place a few days after US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods for continuing to buy Russian oil.
With this, the total US tariffs on Indian goods increased to 50%, which is among the highest tariffs imposed by the US against its trading partners.
Modi wrote on the social network X: Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend, President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments in Ukraine.
According to a report by Reuters, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that Modi invited Putin to New Delhi to attend the 23rd annual India-Russia summit later this year.
The ministry added that the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia. Modi also spoke on the phone with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday on a wide range of issues, including the high tariffs imposed by the United States.
Modi’s conversation with Putin also came a day after Russia and India reaffirmed their commitment to the “strategic partnership” during bilateral security talks in Moscow between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.