A call between the leaders of Russia and India affirmed the countries’ close ties despite Washington’s demands for New Delhi to wean itself off Russian oil. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked his “friend,

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday and looked forward to continued exchanges in the days to come.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who detailed his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. Modi emphasized India's support for resolving the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy and dialogue.