Modi-Putin telecon spotlights India’s strategic autonomy

After a successful visit of the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin—a move that reinforces New Delhi’s strategic autonomy and a non-zero-sum approach to a world in transition.

According to a press statement by the Press Information Bureau, in their conversation, the two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

President Putin informed PM about the recent developments in Russia.

While discussing the situation in Ukraine, PM reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy.

A Kremlin statement further elaborated on the telephonic exchange.

According to the Kremlin readout, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Friday on the initiative of the Indian side.

Referring to the attempted uprising by the private military company Wagner, Prime Minister Modi expressed understanding and support for the “decisive actions of the Russian leadership” in protecting law and order and ensuring stability in the country, and the safety of its citizens.

The leaders addressed the situation around Ukraine, with Putin emphasizing Kiev’s refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to settle the conflict.

Putin and Modi also discussed bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of further implementing major joint projects in a range of fields. The leaders also lauded the significant growth in bilateral trade.

While the leaders reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the privileged strategic partnership, special attention was given to interactions within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Group of Twenty (G20), where India currently holds the chairmanship, as well as within the BRICS format, the official statement noted. Modi also briefed Putin about his recent international contacts, including during his visit to Washington.

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