Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and Russia are committed to further deepening their strategic ties, and discussions on this regard will be held during the India-Russia Summit at the end of this year. Modi dialled Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday and conveyed him birthday greetings as the Russian supremo turned 73 today.
"Spoke with my friend President Putin and conveyed warm birthday greetings and best wishes for his good health and long life. Deeply appreciate his personal commitment to deepening India–Russia ties over the years," Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X after the call.
Modi reportedly conveyed to Putin that he looks forward to welcoming the Russian president to India for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in December.
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The Modi-Putin bonhomie comes while India is facing the United States' ire over its trade ties with Russia. US President Donald Trump has accused India and China of fueling Moscow's military operation against Ukraine by purchasing cheap Russian crude oil.
The Trump administration had repeatedly expressed displeasure over India's trade ties with Russia. The US wants India to halt defence and oil purchases from Russia. The US president has imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, taking the total tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent, over its Russian ties.