PM Modi-President Putin phone call draws attention of analysts

New Delhi: – Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Putin visited India a few days ago. During the visit, about 28 MoUs were signed between the two countries. Russian officials said some of the agreements were confidential. India-Russia cooperation has gained greater strategic importance as tensions between India with China and Russia with the US-NATO are escalating. Against that background, Monday’s meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin becomes significant.

‘Spoke with my friend, President Putin, to follow up on our discussions during his recent visit to India. We agreed on the way forward for enhancing India-Russia cooperation, including supplying fertilizers. We also discussed recent international developments,’ tweeted Prime Minister Modi. The Prime Minister’s office said in a statement that the two leaders had discussed ways to boost cooperation in Russia’s oil-rich Far East. The Prime Minister’s Office also said that new opportunities for military cooperation between India and Russia were discussed.

During his visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that he was overwhelmed by the hospitality extended by India. Meanwhile, reports show that the S-400, an advanced air defence system supplied by Russia to India, is being deployed in Punjab. At the same time, talks are rife about India preparing to buy Russia’s more advanced S-500 air defence systems. A few days ago, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister claimed that India would be the first buyer of this refined system. This is a blow to the United States, which had threatened to impose sanctions on India over its S-400 deal. There are indications that China and Pakistan are also becoming restless due to India-Russia cooperation.

At the same time, some have said that Russia has taken steps to mediate the India-China dispute. After he visited India, President Putin had a virtual discussion with Chinese President Jinping. It is no coincidence that President Putin spoke again to Prime Minister Modi over the phone after that. Some claim that Russia attempts to bring about reconciliation between India and China.

At the same time, the importance of the talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin has increased in the context of the developments in Afghanistan. A Pakistani journalist reported that India is considering recognizing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan seeking help from Russia, Iran and Central Asian countries. If that happens, Indian influence in Afghanistan will increase exponentially, and Pakistan is panicking given this possibility. Thus, Pakistan convened an OIC meeting to show that it was doing a lot for the Taliban. However, the Taliban did not get anything out of the meeting. On the contrary, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister was insulted during the meeting. As a result, Taliban leaders are angry with Pakistan and Pakistan feels the heat of their anger.

Hence, given this, there is a possibility that the Afghanistan issue may have been at the forefront during the discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin.