Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Monday, expressing a commitment to maintain personal contacts in the future. They wished each other success in the upcoming presidential election in Russia and the parliamentary election in India.
The leaders discussed the intensification of mutually beneficial bilateral ties and the continuation of personal contacts. The summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President serves as the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in their strategic partnership. The two countries have held 21 annual summits alternately in India and Russia.
The upcoming Russian presidential election is scheduled for March 15-17, 2024, with Putin campaigning as an independent candidate. India is also set to hold parliamentary elections later this year.
During the conversation, Putin and Modi discussed cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, emphasizing the success achieved in practical interaction across various sectors, including trade, economic and scientific-technical cooperation, energy, transport and logistics, and collaboration in the Russian Far East.
Despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the ties between India and Russia have remained strong. India's import of Russian crude oil has increased, and India has refrained from condemning the Russian invasion, advocating for a diplomatic and dialogue-based resolution to the crisis. The leaders' conversation reflects the ongoing commitment to fostering bilateral relations amid global developments.
(With Agency Inputs)
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