India said Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to further strengthen the special relationship between their countries, discussing areas such as energy and defense.
New Delhi is balancing diplomatic ties, maintaining strong relationships with the U.S., Gulf Arab states, Russia, Iran and Israel, while facing shipping and trade disruptions from the Ukraine and Iran wars.
The leaders met for the second time in two weeks. The meeting occurred on the eve of the annual BRICS leaders summit in the Indian capital, which Chinese President Xi Jinping, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and others are scheduled to attend. The bloc seeks to raise its profile even as its members are divided over the Iran war.
Modi and Putin "discussed conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region that have affected maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers," India's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Modi reiterated that conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and that India stands ready to assist in peace efforts, the ministry added.
