PM Narendra Modi on Monday, August 18, thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for sharing details of his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, even as tensions rise over Washington’s decision to impose tariffs on India for continuing oil imports from Moscow.
In a post on X, Modi said: “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.”
The Alaska summit, held on August 15, saw Putin and Trump discuss prospects of a ceasefire in Ukraine. While Trump described the talks as “very productive,” he stressed that no final deal had been reached. He added that the next move rested with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and called on European nations to step up their involvement.
The diplomatic outreach comes against the backdrop of the United States slapping 25% tariffs on certain Indian goods and an additional 25% levy on Russian oil imports by India, arguing that New Delhi’s purchases indirectly fund Moscow’s war effort.
Despite the trade tensions, India’s Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the Alaska talks, saying the discussions demonstrated “commendable leadership” and underlined that “dialogue and diplomacy are the only way forward” to resolve the conflict.
