PM Modi Holds Telephonic Conversation With Vladimir Putin, Congratulates Russian President On Re-Election

Earlier on Monday, PM Modi had congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election to the top office on X (formerly Twitter) and said that he was looking forward to further strengthening bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. PM Modi congratulated Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation and conveyed his best wishes for peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Russia, a government said on Wednesday.

"The two leaders agreed to make concerted efforts towards further strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the years to come," the statement said.

"They also reviewed progress in various issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," it added.

Speaking on the Russia-Ukraine war, PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.

The two leaders agreed to remain in touch, the statement added.

After call to Putin, PM Modi followed it up with a phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to convey India's consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict.

In his phone call to Zelenskyy, Modi asserted that India supported all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"Had a good conversation with President @ZelenskyyUa on strengthening the India-Ukraine partnership. Conveyed India's consistent support for all efforts for peace and bringing an early end to the ongoing conflict. India will continue to provide humanitarian assistance guided by our people-centric approach," Modi said on X. 

Both Putin and Zelenskyy have invited the prime minister to visit Russia and Ukraine respectively after the Lok Sabha elections, sources said, adding they see Modi as a peacemaker.

Earlier on Monday, PM Modi had congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election to the top office on X (formerly Twitter) and said that he was looking forward to further strengthening bilateral ties.

"Warm congratulations to H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation," Modi said in a post on 'X'.

"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 said.

Putin won a historic fifth term as Russian President in a landslide victory, extending his rule over Russia until 2030. If Putin completes the term till the end, he will become the longest-serving Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 1700s, as per the New York Times.

Putin secured 87.8% of the vote, marking the highest-ever result in Russia's post-Soviet era, as per an exit poll conducted by the Public Opinion Foundation. Similarly, the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) reported Putin's support at 87%. The initial official results confirmed the accuracy of the polls.