Modi, Putin Hold Phone Talks, Vow to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

India and Russia on Friday doubled down on their long-standing partnership in the face of a new US penalty on New Delhi for buying Russian oil, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin pledging to deepen their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”

In a phone call, Modi thanked Putin for briefing him on the latest developments in Ukraine and said both leaders reviewed progress on their bilateral agenda. “We reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India–Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X, adding that he looked forward to hosting Putin in India later this year.

The conversation came a day after National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Putin and senior Russian officials in Moscow. Doval called the partnership “very special” in an unpredictable global environment, while Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu said Moscow sought to work with India for a “more just” world order.

Tensions with Washington have escalated since US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Indian goods over Russian oil imports—on top of another 25% duty that took effect a day later. Trump has pressed New Delhi to cut Russian energy purchases, even as India defends them and accuses the US and EU of double standards.

Russia remains India’s largest defence supplier and has emerged as a top energy partner, meeting 35% of India’s needs in the first half of 2025.

An Indian readout of the Modi–Putin call said the PM reiterated India’s position favouring a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin noted that Putin also briefed Modi on his talks with US special envoy Steven Witkoff, which paved the way for a possible Putin–Trump meeting.

Modi, in remarks on Thursday widely seen as aimed at Washington, vowed to protect Indian farmers from the fallout of the tariffs. “India will never compromise the interests of its farmers… I’m prepared to pay any price,” he said.

New Delhi has labelled Trump’s move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable” but sources in both capitals say they are working to preserve the broader strategic gains of the past two decades.