PM Modi briefs Putin on India's G20 priorities

PM Narendra Modi on Friday briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin on India's G20 priorities and discussed joint initiatives under India's SCO chairship in 2023.

During their telephonic conversation, the two leaders also discussed energy trade with Russia emerging as India's top oil supplier since October.

Following up on their meeting in Samarkand on the sidelines of the SCO Summit, the two leaders reviewed several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, trade and investments, defence and security cooperation, and other key areas, according to an official statement released here.


Russia is also India's top supplier of fertilisers and coking coal. The issue of transport and logistics, including connectivity initiatives, was also discussed by the two leaders.

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way forward, the statement added. At the request of Modi, Putin gave fundamental assessments of Russia's line on the Ukraine conflict, according to a Russian government statement.

Modi briefed Putin on India's ongoing presidency of the G-20, highlighting its key priorities as Russia will be part of all G20 meetings. Modi also looked forward to both countries working together during India's chairship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, according to the statement.

India is expected to host SCO Summit in mid-2023 and G20 Summit in September 2023. Russia had played a key role in India's SCO membership.