08 August,2025 07:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
PM Modi and President Vladimir Putin had met in Russia last year. File pic
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone on Friday and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
In a post on X, Modi said, "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."
It will be the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
During the conversation between the two leaders, Putin briefed Modi on Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, with the PM maintaining New Delhi's consistent position for the peaceful resolution of the issue.
The phone calls came amid US President Donald Trump ratcheting up pressure on India over its purchase of Russian oil.
On Thursday, Putin had received India's National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval at the Kremlin.
PM Modi had visited Russia last year and he and President Putin highly appreciated the special nature of this time-tested relationship, which is based on trust, mutual understanding and strategic convergence.
On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order, slapping an additional 25 per cent levy on India for New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total duties to 50 per cent. This is among the highest duties imposed by the US on any country in the world. The additional 25 per cent duty will come into effect on August 27.
On Thursday, Modi received a phone call from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose country has also been at the receiving end of Trump's tariffs. The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health, and people-to-people ties.
Meanwhile, amid the tariff war, China has officially extended a welcome to PM Narendra Modi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, which is to be held at the end of the month in Tianjin.
Addressing a press briefing in Beijing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made this announcement, expressing optimism that the gathering would strengthen regional cooperation.
"China welcomes Prime Minister Modi to China for the SCO Tianjin Summit. We believe that with the concerted effort of all parties, the Tianjin summit will be a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results, and the SCO will enter a new stage of high-quality development featuring greater solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated.
The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued a statement on the Prime Minister's visit.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
