Putin’s Call With Modi Highlights India’s Balancing Role, As Trump Pushes Ukraine Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 18, just hours before US President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington.

The timing of Putin’s outreach underscores India’s growing relevance in the evolving geopolitical landscape surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position that the war must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. On social media, he thanked Putin for sharing insights from his recent Alaska meeting with Trump, while reiterating India’s support for “all efforts” aimed at a peaceful settlement.

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation and agreed to remain in close contact.

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…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2025

What do the Putin-Modi and Trump-Zelenskyy talks mean?

The Putin-Modi call comes against the backdrop of Trump’s intensified push for a negotiated end to the Ukraine war. Although Trump warned Moscow of “very severe consequences” if hostilities continued, his post-summit statement suggested an openness to Russian terms.

Trump emphasised that a “peace agreement” rather than a temporary ceasefire was the only durable solution. Reports also indicate that Putin may soon release over 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners as part of confidence-building measures.

For Ukraine, the focus has shifted to securing binding Western security guarantees. Zelenskyy has pressed for commitments resembling NATO’s Article 5, which would effectively give Ukraine de facto membership status. This demand is expected to dominate his talks with Trump, alongside European leaders Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer.

Is India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war gaining attention?

Amid these high-stakes negotiations, India finds itself under pressure from Washington. Trump has imposed punitive tariffs on New Delhi, now totaling 50%, citing India’s purchase of Russian oil and its “unfair” trade practices. While New Delhi faces economic strain from these measures, Modi’s call with Putin signals that India is unlikely to abandon its strategic partnership with Moscow.

India’s calibrated diplomacy is aimed at balancing three imperatives: preserving its long-standing ties with Russia, safeguarding its trade interests amid Trump’s tariffs, and maintaining constructive engagement with the US. Modi’s reiteration of peace underscores India’s image as a neutral voice advocating for dialogue, a role that enhances its global credibility even in an increasingly polarised environment.

As Trump accelerates his peace push with Zelenskyy and Putin, India’s role as a bridge between East and West could become more pronounced. For now, New Delhi continues to walk a fine line: asserting independence while navigating US economic pressure and Russian strategic expectations.

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