New Delhi/Moscow, May 5 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin today spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which he strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and stressed that its perpetrators and backers must be brought to justice.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X, said that PM Modi conveyed greetings to President Putin on the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day celebrations and invited him to India for the Annual Summit meeting.
“President Putin @KremlinRussia_E called PM @narendramodi and strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam, India.
“He conveyed deepest condolences on the loss of innocent lives and expressed full support to India in the fight against terrorism.
“He emphasised that the perpetrators of the heinous attack and their supporters must be brought to justice.
“Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
“PM conveyed greetings to President Putin on the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and invited him for the Annual Summit to be held in India later in the year.”
A Russian readout said that President Putin had a telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Vladimir Putin once again expressed his sincere condolences over the death of Indian citizens as a result of the barbaric terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam in southern Kashmir. Both sides emphasised the need for an uncompromising fight against terrorism in all its manifestations.
“During the conversation, the strategic nature of Russian-Indian relations as a special privileged partnership was emphasised. These relations are not subject to external influence and continue to develop dynamically in all areas.
“Narendra Modi congratulated Vladimir Putin and all the Russian people on the upcoming 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
“It was noted that Victory Day is a common holiday. An Indian representative is to attend the Moscow ceremonies.
“The Indian leader confirmed the invitation to the Russian President to visit India for the traditional annual bilateral summit. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.”
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not attending the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was to attend, is also not going due to the high-level deliberations going on in the government.
Significantly, the talks between the two leaders also come ahead of Monday’s UNSC closed door meeting requested by Pakistan.
Russia is a permanent member of the UNSC.
UNI RN