Modi, Putin speak over Ukraine; wish each other electoral success

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone on Monday (15), discussing the issue of Ukraine and wishing each other well ahead of the elections coming in both countries.

According to a statement posted on the Kremlin's website, the two leaders "expressed interest in further intensifying mutually beneficial bilateral ties" and touched upon "the situation in Ukraine".

They also wished each other success in upcoming parliamentary elections in India and a presidential election in Russia, it added.

“The two leaders reviewed progress on a number of issues of bilateral cooperation in follow-up to recent high-level exchanges between the two countries,” the Indian prime minister’s office (PMO) said in a statement.

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Modi and Putin “positively” assessed the developments in the two countries' bilateral relations and agreed to develop a roadmap for future initiatives to make the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership stronger, the PMO added.

The Indian PM also conveyed Putin his best wishes for Russia’s presidency of BRICS in 2024 and assured of New Delhi's full support.

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India has maintained its traditionally friendly relation with Russia since the outbreak of the Ukraine war in February 2022, even as it remained close to the western countries, including Russia's foe America.

Modi posted on X about his conversation with Putin, saying, "Had a good conversation with President Putin. We discussed various positive developments in our Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russia’s Presidency of the BRICS."