NEW DELHI: The situation in Ukraine and how Russia quelled the Wagner mutiny were among the key topics as Prime minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
President Putin apprised PM Modi about the current state of affairs in the special military operation zone, stressing Ukraine’s refusal to undertake political and diplomatic steps to resolve the conflict.
PM Modi also expressed support for the decisive actions of the Russian leadership to protect order and ensure stability in the country following the mutiny by soldiers of the Wagner group.
PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Ukraine and the recent mutiny in Russia over a phone call, reports @urvashikhona #news #russia #india pic.twitter.com/8BBJoovfmb
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) June 30, 2023
“In connection with the events of June 24 in Russia, PM Modi expressed understanding and support for the decisive actions of the Russian leadership to protect law and order, ensure stability in the country and ensure the security of its citizens, the Kremlin said.
“The situation around Ukraine was touched upon as well. The Russian President gave his assessment of the current state of affairs in the special military operation zone, having stressed Kiev’s utter refusal to undertake political and diplomatic steps to resolve the conflict,” it further added, terming the conversation constructive.
The leaders reaffirmed their mutual intention to strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and agreed to maintain contact.
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PM Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy, the PMO said. “They reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” it said.
“President Putin informed the PM about the recent developments in Russia. While discussing the situation in Ukraine, the PM reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy,” it further added.
Talking about bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the Kremlin said, “When discussing topical issues of bilateral cooperation, they underscored the importance of further consistent implementation of the major joint projects in various areas and noted with satisfaction substantial growth in trade throughout 2022 and in the first quarter of this year.”
Meanwhile, PM Modi also spoke about his recent visit to Washington. “Particular attention was paid to interaction within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20, in which India currently holds the presidency, as well as in the BRICS format. In addition, PM Modi informed of his international contacts, including ones during his recent visit to Washington,” the Kremlin said.
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Interestingly, a day before, President Putin was in full praise of India. He termed India a big friend and appreciated its Make in India campaign at a forum in Moscow organised by Russia’s Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI).
“Our friends in India and our big friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched the ‘Make in India’ initiative several years ago. It has had a truly impressive effect on the Indian economy. It would do no harm to emulate what is working well, even if it was not us but our friends who created it,” President Putin said during his address.
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