PM Modi speaks to Putin, leaders reaffirm commitment to deepening bilateral ties
New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone during which the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.
Putin briefed Modi on his country's ongoing conflict with Ukraine, with the prime minister reiterating India's consistent position for its peaceful resolution.
The conversation between the two leaders came amid US President Donald Trump ratcheting up pressure on India over its purchase of Russian oil.
Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order, slapping an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for the purchase of Russian oil, bringing the total duties to 50 per cent -- among the highest imposed by the US on any country in the world. The additional 25 per cent duty will come into effect on August 27.
In a post on X, Modi said, "Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine.
"We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. I look forward to hosting President Putin in India later this year."
It will be the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, "President Putin briefed the PM on the latest developments concerning Ukraine".
"While thanking President Putin for his detailed assessment, the prime minister reiterated India's consistent position for peaceful resolution of the conflict," it said.
The two leaders also reviewed progress in the bilateral agenda, and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi invited President Putin to India later this year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the MEA said.
According to sources, National Security Advisor (NSA)) Ajit Doval has said during his meetings in Moscow that dates for Putin's visit to India are being worked out.
In Russia, Doval held talks with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and other senior officials, which focused on bilateral energy and defence cooperation as well as Putin's visit to India.
Prime Minister Modi had travelled to Russia twice last year for an annual summit with Putin and to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan.
Modi on Thursday also received a phone call from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose country has also been at the receiving end of Trump's tariffs.
The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health, and people-to-people ties.
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23-year-old woman found dead at Delhi home; suicide suspected
New Delhi (PTI): A 23-year-old woman was found dead in her house in Delhi's Prem Nagar area, with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide, an official said on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as Anjali Singh, was found motionless in her room on Monday by her sister and her neighbour.
Police said her father, Vinod Kumar Singh (51), told them that he and his wife were away at work at the time of the incident, while their son and the other daughter were also not at home at the time of the incident.
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According to the family, the room in which Anjali was found was locked from the inside. The door was later forcibly opened by a neighbour and her sister with the help of a crowbar.
Her body was found lying on the bed inside the room, police said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Anjali had allegedly hanged herself using a piece of cloth tied to the ceiling fan.
It is suspected that the noose eventually might have loosened or torn off, resulting in her being found lying on the bed.
Family members informed the police that Anjali was a final-year student of a librarian science course from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). About a week ago, her final-year examination results were declared, and she had failed, following which she had been under depression, they said.
The family has not raised any allegation of foul play, police said, adding that no suicide note or external injury marks were found on the body during the initial inspection.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated in the matter as per the law. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, and further investigation is underway, police added.
