Modi-Putin call: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation today (June 30) with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed the situation around Ukraine and how Moscow had resolved an armed mercenary mutiny. The telephone conversation between the two leaders came days ahead of the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which is being hosted by India on July 4.
According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), both leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
President Putin informed PM Modi, about the recent developments in Russia. While discussing the situation in Ukraine, PM reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch and continue to make efforts to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
PM Modi and Putin held a “meaningful” conversation over the phone, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership while exchanging views on the conflict in Ukraine, the Kremlin said.
“The conversation had a meaningful and constructive character. The leaders reiterated mutual commitment to strengthening the privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and agreed to continue communication,” the Kremlin press service said.
Russian President Putin informed Modi of Ukraine’s categorical refusal to settle the conflict through diplomacy, it said about the raging war in Eastern Europe since February last year. “The two leaders discussed the situation around Ukraine. The Russian president assessed the current situation in the special military operation zone, pointing to Kyiv’s categorical refusal to take political and diplomatic steps to resolve the conflict,” the statement said.
India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.
The two leaders also discussed their countries’ cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the G20. “Special attention was focused on cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20, where India holds the presidency, as well as within the BRICS format,” the statement said.
PM Modi expressed support for the Russian President over the recent aborted mutiny attempt in Russia on June 24, Russian news agency Sputnik quoted the Kremlin as saying. “At the initiative of the Indian side, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Narendra Modi expressed understanding and support for the decisive actions of the Russian leadership to protect law and order, ensure stability in the country and the security of its citizens in connection with the events of June 24 of this year,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
The rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner group on Saturday marked the most serious challenge to President Putin in more than two decades of his rule and triggered questions over his leadership. Wagner mercenary group had taken control of Rostov-on-Don town. The revolt ended when Prigozhin ordered his troops back.
