Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday reviewed the time-tested ties between the two nations. The issue of the Ukraine war also figured in the talks. Modi favoured dialogue and diplomacy to end the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
This was the fourth time the two leaders talked on the phone since the Ukraine conflict started in February.
The two leaders reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during Putin’s visit to India in December 2021.
Incidentally, the talks took place three days after Modi attended the G-7 summit in Germany where the leaders of some countries discussed ways to increase pressure on Russia to end the military action in Ukraine.
India, so far, has abstained from voting against Russia in the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Giving details of the talks between Putin and Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two leaders exchanged ideas on how bilateral trade in agricultural goods, fertilizers and pharma products could be encouraged further. The leaders also discussed global issues, including the state of the international energy and food markets.
In the context of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s long-standing position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy. The two leaders agreed to maintain regular consultations on global and bilateral issues, the MEA said.
The first time the two leaders spoke on the phone was on February 24 when the Russian military action began in Ukraine. Putin and Modi talked two more times on March 2 and March 7.