Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signaled positive progress with Russia following a Friday phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, even as Washington’s threat of 50% tariffs on Indian imports looms.
Modi, addressing Putin as “my friend,” said the two held a “very good and detailed conversation” in an announcement on Friday, Aug. 8, following their call, during which the war in Ukraine was discussed.
“Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine,” Modi wrote on X.
Modi then hinted at deepening ties between New Delhi and Moscow despite the threats of hefty US tariffs on New Delhi due to its Russian oil purchases.
“We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” Modi added.
The partnership Modi referenced was signed in 2010, through which India and Russia agreed to foster cooperation in various sectors, including trade and defense.
“Under the Strategic Partnership, several institutionalized dialogue mechanisms operate at both political and official levels to ensure regular interaction and follow-up on cooperation activities,” the Indian Embassy in Moscow wrote in a press release.
“The India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) has two divisions – the Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) from India and First Deputy Prime Minister (First DPM) Mr. Denis Manturov from Russia; and the Military & Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) headed by the Defence Ministers of the two countries,” it added.
Modi added that he looks forward to hosting Putin in India later this year. Reuters reported that it would be during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, citing the Indian Foreign Ministry.
Modi’s call with Putin on Friday came shortly after New Delhi’s national security advisor, Ajit Doval, met with Putin earlier this week. The details of their discussions have not been disclosed.
US President Donald Trump had previously slammed India’s purchase of Russian weapons and oil before blindsiding India with an additional 25% duty on all imports on Tuesday, bringing the total to 50% – one of the highest of all nations.
Following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has become a major Russian oil buyer, with New Delhi benefiting from reselling the crude as refined products.
The tariff threats from Trump have also reportedly led to a halt to the purchase of US arms, unnamed Indian officials told Reuters.
Trump is poised to announce additional sanctions on Moscow – as well as secondary tariffs on other Russian oil buyers such as China and Turkey – on Friday, Aug. 8, as his earlier deadline for Moscow to pursue a ceasefire expires without result despite months of negotiations.
