Modi And Putin Speak Over Phone, PM Says India Favours 'Dialogue, Diplomacy' On Ukraine

The telephonic conversation come days after reports surfaced that India 'cancelled' an annual in-person summit of PM Modi with Putin this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, during which he reiterated India's long-standing position on the Ukraine situation, favouring dialogue and diplomacy.

"In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, PM Modi reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way forward, in his conversation with Russian President Putin," the PMO said in a statement.

The development comes days after reports surfaced that India "cancelled" an annual in-person summit of PM Modi with Putin this year due to his veiled threats to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.

However, Reuters quoted a government official as saying that the decision not to hold a summit was taken much earlier and that the nuclear angle was not a factor.

Putin visited New Delhi in December last year for the 21st India–Russia annual summit, which is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In September this year, Modi and Putin met on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and have spoken on the phone a number of times this year, including on the subject of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During the summit, Modi told Putin on the sidelines that this era was "not an era of war".

On Friday, both the leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in areas of energy, trade and defence and security during a telephonic conversation.

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PM Modi also briefed the Russian president on India's ongoing Presidency of G-20 and highlighted its key priorities.

"Following up on their meeting in Samarkand on the sidelines of the SCO summit, the two leaders reviewed several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, trade and investments, defence and security cooperation, and other key areas," the PMO said.

"The prime minister briefed President Putin on India's ongoing Presidency of the G-20, highlighting its key priorities. He also looked forward to both countries working together during India's Chairship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO),"the statement further said.

The two leaders agreed to remain in regular touch.

(With inputs from agencies)