Amid Trump pressure tactics, PM Modi dials Putin, commits to deepen India-Russia strategic partnership | World News
Prime Miner Narendra Modi Friday held a “good and detailed conversation” with Russian President Vladimir Putin days after US President Donald Trump levied 25 per cent additional tariff on goods from India after claiming that New Delhi was fuelling Moscow’s war machine against Ukraine.
Modi and Putin reviewed the progress of the bilateral agenda during their call and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to “further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
The PM also said he was looking forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year.
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In a post on social media platform X, Modi said: “Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year.”
Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2025
Ahead of his scheduled meeting with Putin, Trump had levied punishing tariffs on India totalling 50 per cent.
A White House statement Wednesday said the US will impose “additional 25 per cent ad valorem duty” above the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs announced on August 1 to “deal with the national emergency stemming from Russia’s actions in Ukraine”. This tariff is deemed necessary and appropriate due to India’s “direct or indirect import of Russian Federation oil”, which the President judges will more effectively address the national emergency, the executive order said.
