Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the telephone conversation, both leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine where PM Modi reiterated India’s position on “dialogue” and “diplomacy”.
“In the context of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s long-standing position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Friday.
Putin briefed Modi on the Russia-Ukraine war situation at the behest of the latter even as the two sides expressed “mutual intention for the comprehensive strengthening of the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India.”
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“At the request of Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin briefed on the key aspects of the Russian special military operation, emphasising the dangerous and provocative nature of the line of the Kyiv regime and its Western patrons aimed at escalating the crisis and disrupting efforts to resolve it politically and diplomatically,” said the Kremlin in a statement.
The two sides also discussed various aspects of bilateral ties, particularly in areas of trade in agricultural goods, fertilisers and pharma products.
“The two leaders reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during President Putin’s visit to India in December 2021. In particular, they exchanged ideas on how bilateral trade in agricultural goods, fertilisers and pharma products could be encouraged further,” said a statement issued by the PMO.
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India had opened government-to-government talks in February with Russia for long-term import of fertilisers which according to reports was finalised under a barter agreement since India depends on imports for fertiliser supply to the farming sector.
Owing to the rise in global food prices due to the war, the two leaders also discussed ‘food security’ issues.
“The leaders also discussed global issues, including the state of the international energy and food markets,” said the Indian statement.
According to a Kremlin statement, “The current state of affairs in the global food market was touched upon as well. Vladimir Putin drew attention to the systemic mistakes made by a number of states, which led to the disruption of the entire architecture of the free trade of food products and provoked a significant increase of their cost.”
Blaming the rise in prices to “illegitimate” sanctions against Russia, Moscow said that western restrictions have “exacerbated” an already difficult situation.
“The same factors had a negative impact on the global energy market. At the same time, the Russian leader stressed that Russia has been and remains a reliable producer and supplier of grain, fertilisers and energy carriers, including to the Indian partners,” it added.
The conversation was held two weeks after the leaders met virtually for the BRICS leadership summit where President Putin had invited all the leaders for the Eastern Economic Forum to be held in September.
India is yet to respond to that invitation.
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