PM Modi Discusses Ukraine Peace with Putin, Addresses US-India Tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who shared insights from his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska. The Anchorage summit, the first face-to-face talks between Putin and Trump since the Ukraine war began, yielded no ceasefire but allowed Putin to push for territorial concessions from Kyiv. Modi, in a post on X, thanked Putin for the call and reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, expressing hope for continued dialogue.

The Alaska meeting marked Putin’s first US visit in years, seen as a diplomatic win for Russia, though Ukraine rejected his proposals. Meanwhile, US-India relations face strain as the Trump administration raised tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50%, citing India’s role in refining and re-exporting discounted Russian crude, which they claim funds Moscow’s war. India has called the tariffs unfair, defending its energy sourcing and strategic autonomy.

Elsewhere, domestic controversies are brewing. In Kerala, a draft textbook sparked outrage for claiming Subhas Chandra Bose “fled to Germany in fear of the British,” a statement the state government admitted was a historical error. In Assam, the Gauhati High Court questioned the allocation of 3,000 bighas of land to a cement company, calling it absurd. Meanwhile, the Opposition is considering impeaching Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a “vote chori” row, and heavy rains in Maharashtra have prompted Army-led relief efforts.

Modi’s foreign policy faces scrutiny as some Chinese analysts speculate India might skip the upcoming SCO summit to align closer with the US, despite Beijing’s official welcome. India continues to navigate its multi-alignment policy amid global tensions.