President Putin and PM Modi express interest in further intensification of mutually beneficial bilateral ties
In an important phone conversation on Monday (January 15, 2024), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a comprehensive dialogue, discussing various regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict and Russia's upcoming presidency of the BRICS group in 2024.

Prime Minister Modi took to social platform X to express, “Had a good conversation with President Putin. We discussed various positive developments in our Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership and agreed to chalk out a roadmap for future initiatives. We also had a useful exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including Russia’s Presidency of the BRICS.”

This interaction follows the recent visit of India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Russia, highlighting the ongoing high-level interactions that form the foundation of the India-Russia relationship.

Strengthening the India-Russia Strategic Partnership

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) released a statement reflecting on the discussion's breadth. “The two leaders reviewed progress on a number of issues of bilateral cooperation in follow-up to recent high-level exchanges between the two countries. They positively assessed the developments in bilateral relations and agreed to develop a roadmap for future initiatives to further strengthen the India-Russia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership,” the statement read.

Further, the Kremlin’s press office highlighted the shared interests of both nations in reinforcing their bilateral ties. The Kremlin statement, quoted by the state-run Tass news agency, stated, “Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi expressed interest in further intensification of mutually beneficial bilateral ties and wished each other success in the upcoming elections: the presidential election in Russia and the parliamentary election in India.”

Notably, the Kremlin statement mentioned the Ukraine situation, demonstrating the geopolitical complexities of the current global landscape. India has maintained a delicate balance, sustaining its longstanding relations with Russia while also engaging positively with the US and other Western nations amidst the ongoing Ukraine crisis. 

Looking Ahead: Elections and BRICS Summit

Both leaders also exchanged wishes for success in their respective upcoming elections, signifying the importance of personal relationships in diplomatic relations. The Kremlin added that both leaders agreed to continue personal contacts, reinforcing the strategic nature of the India-Russia partnership.

As Russia prepares to host the BRICS Summit in 2024 in Kazan, President Putin has emphasized its focus on establishing a fair world order, a theme likely to resonate with the other BRICS nations, including India.

In a strong gesture, PM Modi conveyed his best wishes for Russia’s BRICS Presidency in 2024 and assured India's full support. 

The PM Modi-President Putin conversation reflects a multidimensional diplomatic effort, touching upon critical bilateral issues and larger global challenges. As India and Russia continue to navigate a complex international environment, their strategic partnership towers as an indication to their shared history and future aspirations.