PM Modi, Vladimir Putin Agree To Maintain Bilateral Ties; Discuss Covid-19 Measures On Call

Both the leaders took note of the effective measures undertaken by the two countries to address the negative consequences of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dialed President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to discuss over the closer bilateral ties between the two nations to jointly address the post-COVID-19 challenges. In a telephonic conversation earlier today, Modi initially extended his greetings to President Putin on the success of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, and also for successful completion of the vote on constitutional amendments in Russia. As per the statement issued in a release, Prime Minister while speaking to Putin, recalled the participation of an Indian contingent in the military parade held in Moscow on 24 June 2020, as a symbol of abiding friendship between the peoples of India and Russia. Both the leaders took note of the effective measures undertaken by the two countries to address the negative consequences of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The duo agreed on the importance of closer India-Russia ties for jointly addressing the challenges of the post-COVID world.

Prime Minister @narendramodi holds telephonic conversation with Russian President, Vladimir Putin Prime Minister conveyed his keenness to welcome President Putin for the annual bilateral Summit to be held in India later this year@KremlinRussia_E Read: https://t.co/R5QG0Wdlcb

— PIB India (@PIB_India) July 2, 2020

Prime Minister further conveyed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India for the bilateral Summit. "They agreed to maintain the momentum of bilateral contacts and consultations, leading to the annual bilateral Summit to be held in India later this year," the statement said. President Putin later thanked PM Modi for the phone call and reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries in all spheres. Russian President Vladimir Putin had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Victory Day celebration which was scheduled to be held on May 9. Mostly European countries celebrate May 8 as victory during the Europe Day celebration. But this year, the celebrations were postponed to June 24 because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Though PM Modi could not travel to Moscow, the Defence minister Rajnath Singh attended the 75th anniversary of the Victory Day celebration in the Russian capital on June 24 in an attempt to strengthen ties with the Russian counterpart.