Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had “a very good” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, during which they discussed Ukraine and the means of strengthening bilateral ties.
The call took place as Modi, leader of the most populous nation in the world and its fifth greatest economy, faces difficult decisions on the purchase of Russian oil by New Delhi.
US President Donald Trump has given Ally Ally India for a long time, one of the largest crude oil importers in the world, three weeks to find alternative suppliers or new 25% import rates will be doubled at 50%.
“I had a very good conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine,” Modi posted on social networks.
“I can’t wait to welcome President Putin to India later this year.”
The purchase of Russian oil has saved billions of dollars in India on import costs, maintaining the prices of relatively stable interior fuels, but this advantage is now in danger due to Trump prices.
Oil purchases are a key source of income for the Moscow War in Ukraine.
Russia is also one of the best arms suppliers in India, and hot ties between the two countries go back to the Soviet era.
Putin’s last visit to India took place in December 2021.
The Kremlin criticized the calls to “force countries to break commercial relations” with Russia as “illegitimate”, without directly mentioning Trump.
Putin also met India’s national security advisor on Thursday, Ajit Doval in Moscow, but no details were provided with their discussions.
The Western allies of Ukraine sought to reduce the profits of Russia exports since Moscow launched its military assault in February 2022.
However, Russia has been able to redirect energy sales far from Europe to countries like India and China.
India has argued that it has imported oil “from Russia because traditional supplies have been diverted to Europe after the conflict trigger”.
The Kremlin said that a Ukraine summit between Trump and Putin was ready to “come”, although an hour or a place was announced.
Modi also reiterated during his call with the coherent position of Putin India to request a “peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict,” a statement said.
The Indian leader, faced with major political and economic ramifications in the country and abroad after the Washington rate, did not speak directly about Trump.
However, he said Thursday that “India will never compromise” the interests of its farmers.
Agriculture employs a large number of people in India and has been a key snack in commercial negotiations with Washington.
India had early hopes for special tariff treatment after Trump said in February that it had found a “special link” with Modi.
Successive American administrations have seen India as a key partner, with interests sharing the same ideas with regard to China.
India and neighboring China have long been intense rivals in competition for a strategic influence through South Asia.
