Following a birthday phone call, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed a message of peace regarding the Ukraine conflict to President Vladimir Putin, indicating India's willingness to contribute to peaceful resolutions. This communication occurred after President Donald Trump of the United States extended birthday greetings to PM Modi and thanked him for supporting efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

PM Modi, in a post on X, acknowledged President Trump's warm wishes and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening its comprehensive and global partnership with the U.S.. He stated, "We support your initiatives towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict". This message subtly underscored India's balanced stance on the conflict and the significance of Indo-U.S. ties.

President Trump also acknowledged the call on his Truth Social platform, thanking PM Modi for his support in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. He referred to PM Modi as "my friend" and commended him for "doing a tremendous job".

This exchange between the leaders followed a period of strained relations between India and the U.S., particularly after the U.S. imposed additional tariffs on India for purchasing oil from Russia. The phone call and subsequent messages signal a potential thaw in relations and a renewed focus on bilateral cooperation, including trade negotiations.

India's position on the Ukraine conflict has consistently emphasized dialogue and diplomacy as the means to achieve a resolution. PM Modi had previously told President Putin that "this is not an era of war". India has maintained communication with both Russia and Ukraine, with PM Modi speaking to President Zelenskyy and meeting with President Putin.

Analysts suggest that President Trump has come to understand India's unique position in being able to communicate with both European leaders and President Putin. This understanding may have prompted him to reach out to PM Modi and seek India's support in resolving the conflict.

The exchange between PM Modi and President Trump can be seen as a positive step towards restarting communication and potentially advancing towards a resolution of the conflict. It also highlights the importance of India's role in global affairs and its commitment to promoting peace and stability.

While the messages exchanged between the leaders represent a positive development, some experts caution that it is only a start and that substantive issues still need to be addressed. Nevertheless, the willingness of both sides to engage in dialogue and express support for peaceful resolutions is a welcome sign.