On August 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a phone conversation to discuss strengthening the "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" between India and Russia.
During the call, Putin briefed Modi on his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. Modi thanked Putin for the update and reiterated India's consistent position on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and dialogue. Modi also affirmed India's support for all efforts in this direction.
The two leaders also touched upon several issues related to bilateral cooperation with the aim of strengthening the strategic partnership between their countries and agreed to maintain close communication.
India's Response to the Trump-Putin Summit India had previously welcomed the meeting between Putin and Trump in Alaska, calling their leadership in the pursuit of peace "highly commendable". The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward and that the world desires to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.
India's Stance on the Ukraine Conflict Modi has communicated with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that a solution to the conflict cannot be found on the battlefield and that talks cannot succeed under the shadow of weapons. India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.
India-Russia Relations The Ministry of External Affairs has defended India-Russia relations as a "steady and time-tested partnership" that should not be viewed through the lens of a third country. Modi and Putin had previously spoken on August 8, 2025, and pledged to deepen their strategic ties. A day prior to that phone call, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Putin and other senior Russian officials in Moscow, with both sides reiterating their commitment to the bilateral strategic partnership.
Looking Ahead Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Moscow on August 21 for the 26th session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission. During this session, the two sides will review trade, economic, and strategic cooperation.
