Modi, Putin hold telephonic conversation, discuss Russia-Ukraine conflict, Moscow’s BRICS Presidency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they addressed several beneficial developments in the two nations' "special and privileged strategic partnership".

New Delhi:Amid the Russia and Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephone conversation with Russian President Putin where in both leaders discussed regional and global issues, including Russia's Presidency of BRICS.

The two leaders reviewed progress on several issues of bilateral cooperation in follow-up to recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. They positively assessed the developments in bilateral relations and agreed to develop a roadmap for future initiatives to further strengthen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The PM conveyed his best wishes for Russia’s Presidency of BRICS in 2024 and assured of India’s full support, the Ministry of External Affairs said. “Had a good conversation with President Putin. We discussed various positive developments in our Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russia’s Presidency of the BRICS", tweeted PM Modi in X (formerly Twitter).

PM Modi and Putin also discussed the situation around Ukraine among other things. They also wished each other success in upcoming elections in India and a presidential poll in Russia. The leaders also highlighted the accomplishments in the collaboration between Russia and India across various sectors, including trade, economics, science, technology, energy, transportation, and logistics, along with cooperation in the Russian Far East.

During his visit to Russia last month, S Jaishankar held a wide-ranging and useful meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Jaishankar said he and Lavrov discussed the international situation and contemporary issues and exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict, the Gaza situation, Afghanistan and Central Asia, BRICS, SCO, G20 and the UN.

Addressing a joint press conference with S Jaishankar in Moscow, Lavrov had said he had talked with Jaishankar about the prospects of military and technical cooperation, including the manufacturing of modern weaponry. "We also have [taken] specific steps in this area," Lavrov had said.

Russian President Putin has invited PM Modi to visit Moscow this year to discuss current issues and the future of bilateral relations, bolstering the strategic partnership between the two nations. The last time both the leaders held a phone call was in August last year. PM Modi discussed bilateral ties, including space cooperation, the expansion of the BRICS group, and the G20 Summit in New Delhi with Putin during their phone call in August 2023.