MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed their “friendly” relations in a phone call, even as Washington increased pressure on New Delhi over its growing economic ties with Moscow.
US President Donald Trump has bumped up tariffs on India, which has become a major purchaser of Russian oil, with Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine war.
The Russian and Indian leaders spoke by phone a day after Modi held talks with Trump on the Ukraine conflict and the tariffs.
“Relations between India and Russia have been exceptionally trustful and friendly,” the Russian president said in a televised government meeting after the phone call.
Prime Minister Modi said on X he was “committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” and that India was “ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict”.
Thank you, my friend, President Putin, for your phone call and warm wishes on my 75th birthday. We are committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2025
Trump and Ukraine are trying to cut off Russia’s vital energy revenues, which they say fund Moscow’s army and enable it to keep up with its offensive.
