Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone to extend birthday wishes on Putin’s 73rd birthday. During the call, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.
In an official statement, PM Modi noted that they reviewed bilateral ties and expressed his anticipation for hosting Putin in India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, scheduled for December.
The statement read, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of the Russian Federation, HE Mr Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister warmly congratulated President Putin on his 73rd birthday and conveyed best wishes for good health and success in all his endeavours."
It further stated, "The two leaders reviewed the progress on the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. The Prime Minister conveyed that he looks forward to welcoming President Putin to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit."
The call came shortly after India and Russia celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Declaration of Strategic Partnership on October 3. This declaration, signed on October 3, 2000, by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Putin, elevated bilateral relations by fostering coordinated efforts in promoting international peace and security, addressing global and regional issues, and enhancing cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, and other domains.
Earlier in October, Putin confirmed his plans to visit India in early December for the upcoming summit, marking his first trip to the country since 2021, when he attended the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. This visit will also be his first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
India and Russia maintain a long-standing tradition of annual summits, where the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President meet alternately in each other’s countries to review their comprehensive bilateral relationship. To date, 22 such summits have taken place, with the most recent occurring in July 2024, when PM Modi visited Moscow.
Putin’s forthcoming visit holds particular significance amid India facing 50 pc US tariffs, including a 25 pc levy on its continued purchase of Russian oil. Addressing US efforts to pressure India and China—Russia’s largest oil buyers—to reduce energy imports, Putin argued that imposing secondary tariffs would drive up global prices and negatively impact the American economy.
He stated, “There is no political aspect here. It’s purely an economic calculation. So why refuse if it also carries domestic political costs?” Emphasising India’s stance, he added, “(The people of India) will never allow themselves to be humiliated by anyone. I know Prime Minister Modi, he will also not make any such decisions.”
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