Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently had an important phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders talked about the Ukraine conflict, India–Russia ties, and their plans for a major summit later this year.
Putin shared with Modi the latest updates on the situation in Ukraine. Modi listened carefully and repeated India’s long-standing position: the conflict must be solved peacefully through talks and diplomacy.
India’s foreign policy has always been about staying neutral and promoting peace. This phone call showed that India still believes in that approach.
But it was not just about Ukraine. The leaders also looked at how India and Russia are working together in many areas like defence, trade, energy, science, and technology.
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The India–Russia partnership is called a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” It shows the trust and strong relationship between the two countries.
During the call, Modi invited Putin to come to India for the 23rd Annual India–Russia Summit later this year. According to Indian officials, the dates for this visit are almost set, and the summit could lead to big new agreements.
India and Russia also work closely in big international groups like BRICS, the United Nations, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Both countries agree that the UN Security Council needs reforms so that it represents the world better.
Russia has always supported India’s push to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This is another example of their close diplomatic alignment.
Trade between India and Russia has been growing fast. Both aim to reach $100 billion in trade by 2030.
They are also planning to use their own currencies for trade instead of relying on the US dollar. This would protect them from international sanctions and currency problems.
In defence, Russia is one of India’s biggest suppliers of weapons. Both sides have agreed to make more Russian spare parts and components inside India as part of the Make-in-India program.
The timing of Modi’s call to Putin is interesting. It came when the US, under President Donald Trump’s second term, has taken a tougher stance against India for buying Russian oil.
Washington recently announced a 50% tariff on Indian exports. This move has added tension to India–US trade relations.
Despite this pressure, India continues to buy Russian oil at discounted prices. By talking directly with Putin, Modi sent a clear message: India will make its own energy decisions.
India wants to diversify its oil sources, and Russia is an important part of that plan. This is also about maintaining strategic independence, a key goal of India’s foreign policy.
The conversation also came just before the upcoming SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. This timing suggests Modi and Putin might be aligning their positions on regional security and trade routes like the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
India is trying to stay connected to both Moscow and Kyiv in the Ukraine conflict. Direct talks with Putin give India firsthand information to help shape its diplomatic approach.
The phone call also followed a conversation between Modi and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. India, Brazil, and Russia are all part of BRICS, a group that is becoming more important in global politics.
Experts say the US sees BRICS as a challenge to its influence. However, India’s role in BRICS is not about supporting China’s agenda, it’s about building a multipolar world where no single country dominates.
India wants to keep Russia from moving too close to China. It also wants to show the US that it cannot dictate every aspect of India’s foreign policy.
In short, Modi’s phone call to Putin was not just routine diplomacy. It was a calculated move to strengthen India–Russia ties, protect India’s energy security, and signal to the world that India will follow its own path.
