Modi speaks to Putin, reiterates India’s position on dialogue as the ‘way forward’ in Russia-Ukraine conflict

Prime Minister Modi congratulates President Putin on re-election, vows to strengthen India-Russia partnership in the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and congratulated him on winning another term in the Russian Presidential election.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Putin agreed to work together to further deepen and expand India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead, Mr. Modi posted on the social media platform ‘X’.

Both leaders in their telephonic conversation reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues, officials said. Mr. Modi also conveyed his best wishes for peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Russia, they said.

While discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Mr. Modi reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward, officials said .The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

"Warm congratulations to H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation," Mr. Modi had said on March 18. "Look forward to working together to further strengthen the time-tested Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia in the years to come," he added.

President Vladimir Putin basked in an election victory, as officials said on March 18 that he had won his fifth term with a record number of votes, underlining the Russian leader’s total control of the country’s political system.

After facing only token challengers and harshly suppressing opposition voices, Mr. Putin was set to extend his nearly quarter-century rule for six more years. Even with little margin for protest, Russians crowded outside polling stations at noon on Sunday, the last day of the election, apparently heeding an opposition call to express their displeasure with the president.