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Putin dials Modi amid US tariffs, shares insight on recent meeting with Trump in Alaska

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 18 Aug 2025, 11:39 am

Indian PM Narendra Modi on Monday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for calling him to share insights about his recent meeting with American counterpart Donald Trump in Alaska.

Thanking Putin for the call and describing him as a 'friend', Modi wrote on X: "Thank my friend, President Putin, for his phone call and for sharing insights on his recent meeting with President Trump in Alaska. India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and supports all efforts in this regard. I look forward to our continued exchanges in the days to come."

Speaking on the conversation between the two leaders, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement: " The two leaders also touched upon a number of issues of bilateral cooperation with a view to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia."

The two leaders agreed to remain in close touch.

Putin and Trump met in Alaska on August 15 when it failed to yield any solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The meeting and Putin's call to the Indian PM assume significance since Trump recently imposed 25 per cent tariffs on select Indian goods and a penalty of another 25 per cent for buying Russian oil.

Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Monday.

India welcomes Trump-Putin Summit

The Indian government on Saturday welcomed the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska and appreciated the progress attained in the meeting.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia."

"Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable," the statement said.

"India appreciates the progress made in the Summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy," the MEA said.

The Ministry said the world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine.