Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi, Photo: Sanjeev Verma / Hindustan Times / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their satisfaction for the “friendship” between their countries during a Wednesday's telephone call, despite US and EU pressures on economic connections between the two powers, AFP and Agerpres reports.
“Relations between India and Russia have always been exclusively based on trust and friendship,” Putin said at a television government, after the telephone discussion with Modi.
Narendra Modi also stated X that the two countries are determined to strengthen their “special and privileged strategic partnership”, adding that “India is ready to make all possible contributions to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.”
He also thanked Putin for the call by which he was congratulated on the occasion of 75 years old, notes EFE.
Thank you, My Friend, President Putin, for Your Phone Call and Warm Wishes on My 75th Birthday. We have Committed to Further Strengthening Our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all postable contributions to the Peaceful Resolution of the…
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 17, 2025
The two leaders also discussed Vladimir Putin's future visit to India, provided to take place in December, according to the Kremlin.
This discussion takes place the next day after US President Donald Trump also congratulated Modi, with whom he talked about the conflict in Ukraine and the customs duties.
Donald Trump has increased customs duties on Indian products from 25 to 50% as a sanction for Russian oil acquisitions, which he claims to finance the conflict triggered by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.
Trump hits India with customs duties, because he has always “bought” weapons and energy from Russia
India transmitted that he will not “tilt” in front of the USA
India, the old US ally and one of the largest crude oil importers in the world, has announced that it will continue to import oil from Russia “because traditional supply sources have been diverted to Europe after the conflict” in Ukraine, in February 2022.
Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi, whose countries collaborate in BRICS, have already displayed their proximity in early September on the occasion of a summit in China. India then announced that it will not “tilt” in front of Washington.
On Wednesday, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, warned that the acquisitions of Russian oil and its participation in a military exercise organized by Moscow could harm its links with the European Union.
New Delhi and the European Block are currently having discussions in order to establish a “strategic partnership”, especially in terms of trade and defense. In this context, the European Commission hopes to conclude a free-changed agreement with New Delhi by the end of the year. An EU-India summit is discussed for the beginning of 2026.
EU warning to India. Kallas: “There are obstacles to our cooperation”
