‘Detailed conversation with my friend’: PM Modi dials President Putin, discusses Ukraine conflict amid US tariff war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, during which the Russian leader reportedly briefed him on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict.

The discussion between the two leaders comes at a time when the United States has intensified pressure on India over its continued import of Russian oil.

President Putin “briefed PM on the latest developments concerning Ukraine.” In response, Prime Minister Modi thanked him for the update and reiterated India’s long-standing call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The leaders also reviewed the status of the bilateral agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between India and Russia. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to President Putin to visit India later this year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

“Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

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

“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,” he added.

US escalates tariff war over India’s Russian oil imports

The phone call came just days after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports. The decision, confirmed by the White House, will take effect on August 27.

The order follows Trump’s earlier warning, in which he threatened to double the existing 25 per cent tariff within 24 hours unless India ceased importing oil from Russia—accusing New Delhi of contributing to “Russia’s war machine.” India had previously responded to this accusation, calling it “unjustified and unreasonable.”

Trump’s executive order cited India’s continued energy ties with Russia as the central reason for the tariff hike. It is linked to the broader national emergency outlined in Executive Order 14066, which addresses international energy-related threats.

‘Unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable’: MEA’s response to US’s tariff attack

In response to Washington’s move, the Indian government issued a strong statement rejecting the US rationale.

“We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and are carried out with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people in India,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

“It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US has chosen to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” he added, reiterating that “these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

“India will take all necessary actions to protect its national interests,” the MEA’s statement concluded.