PM Modi holds 'good' conversation with 'friend' Putin, reaffirms strategic partnership

A day after Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said that Vladimir Putin will visit India later this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a “very good and detailed” conversation with the Russian President.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine.”

Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2025

PM Modi said that the two leaders also reviewed the progress in the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

“I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year,” added PM Modi.

On Thursday, NSA Doval, who is in Moscow, had confirmed Putin’s visit to India, saying that the dates for the trip were “almost finalised”.

“We have got a special, long relationship, and we value this relationship. We have had high-level engagement, and these high-level engagements have contributed very substantially. We are very excited and delighted to learn about the visit of President Putin to India. I think the dates are almost finalised now,” the NSA said.

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The visit’s announcement comes at a time of escalating tensions between New Delhi and Washington over India’s trade ties with Russia.

US President Donald Trump has accused India of supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine by continuing to buy Russian energy, leading to a breakdown in trade negotiations between the two countries.

On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, citing New Delhi’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil.

He also warned that buyers of Russian oil could face secondary sanctions unless Moscow agrees to halt the war — now in its fourth year — by Friday.

A first salvo of 25% tariffs on Indian goods took effect on Thursday, with the additional 25% set to apply in three weeks.

Buying Russian oil saved India billions of dollars on import costs, keeping domestic fuel prices relatively stable.

Russia is also one of India’s top arms suppliers and the warm ties between the two countries date back to the Soviet era.

The Kremlin has slammed calls to “force countries to sever trading relations” with Russia as “illegitimate”, without directly mentioning Trump.

The Kremlin has also said that a summit on Ukraine between Trump and Putin was set for the “coming days”.

With inputs from agencies