Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he received a phone call from his “friend” President Vladimir Putin, who shared his insights on a recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska, in another signal that ties between New Delhi and Moscow remain strong despite backlash from Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, hours before a scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

The PMO said the two leaders also touched upon a number of issues of bilateral cooperation with a view to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.