Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday to brief him on his recent summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. During the call, Modi reiterated India’s consistent support for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This was the second phone conversation between the two leaders in just ten days, and it came amid growing tensions between India and the United States. The friction follows criticism from the Trump administration over India's continued purchase of discounted Russian oil — a move Washington argues is helping fund Russia's war effort.

“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,” Modi posted on social media after the call. He also said he looked forward to ongoing dialogue with the Russian leader.

According to the Indian government’s official readout, Putin initiated the call and shared his perspective on the summit with Trump, held last Friday. Modi, in turn, emphasized India’s longstanding position that the war must end through diplomacy and dialogue — not force.

The leaders also reviewed key aspects of the India-Russia relationship, which they described as a “special and privileged strategic partnership.” They agreed to remain in close contact and continue working together on various bilateral initiatives.

Modi’s remarks align with India’s consistent diplomatic stance on the Ukraine war: that lasting peace cannot be achieved on the battlefield, and that meaningful negotiations cannot happen under the threat of violence. He has previously engaged with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pushing for a negotiated end to the conflict.

The timing of the phone call is notable. It follows a scathing critique from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who wrote in the Financial Times that India is indirectly supporting Russia’s war machine. Navarro alleged that India is using U.S. trade dollars to buy cheap Russian crude, which is then refined and resold globally — sometimes with help from Russian-linked intermediaries.

He also accused India of hiding behind protectionist trade policies and relying too heavily on Russian military equipment. Last week, Trump slapped a fresh 25% tariff on Indian goods over the country’s oil dealings with Russia — on top of another 25% reciprocal tariff imposed earlier this month.

India, for its part, has pushed back strongly against the criticism. The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s energy purchases are guided by market conditions and national security considerations. It also defended New Delhi’s long-standing ties with Moscow, calling the relationship “steady and time-tested” — and not something to be judged through the lens of a third country.

Just last week, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Putin and top Russian officials in Moscow, reaffirming the strength of the bilateral relationship. In their August 8 phone call, Modi and Putin also pledged to deepen strategic cooperation.

Russia currently supplies about 60% of India’s military inventory and has become its top energy provider, fulfilling 35% of India’s oil needs in the first half of 2025.

India has also pointed out what it sees as a double standard — noting that other nations buying Russian oil haven’t faced the same level of criticism or penalties from Washington as New Delhi has.