The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: Russia on Friday, June 30, claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “expressed understanding and support” for President Vladimir Putin’s actions to put down the surprise mutiny by a private army of mercenaries last week.
The phone conversation between the two leaders took place for the first time after the aborted mutiny and ahead of the forthcoming virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Earlier this week, the two National Security Advisors had talked to each other on phone.
The Kremlin claimed that the phone call was “initiated” by India and that the subsequent “conversation was substantiative and constructive”.
While the Russian readout indicated that there was specific discussion over the mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, the Indian press statement did not go beyond saying that Putin informed Modi about “recent developments in Russia”.
The Kremlin’s press statement was detailed, claiming that Modi lent support to Putin on the steps taken to quell the unexpected challenge to his authority.
“In connection with the events of June 24 in Russia, Narendra Modi expressed understanding and support for the decisive actions of the Russian leadership to protect law and order, ensure stability in the country and the security of its citizens,” said the Russian readout.
Last week, Putin’s power was challenged seriously when a column of the Wagner Group, a private army of 25,000 mercenaries led by his former aide Prigozhin, started to march towards Moscow. They ultimately stopped just 200 kilometres from the Russian capital, after the Belarusian president brokered a deal that would send Prigozhin into exile and Moscow agreed not to pursue charges against him.
The Wagner Group had not only been deployed at various conflict hotspots around the world, especially in Africa, but also had a visible combat role in Ukraine. However, as per reports, the group’s contract to fight in the Ukrainian war has not been renewed.
On Ukraine, Modi “reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy”, as per the Indian side.
Putin conveyed that there was no opportunity for diplomacy as Ukraine was not taking any steps. “The Russian President gave his assessment of the current state of affairs in the special military operation zone, having stressed Kiev’s utter refusal to undertake political and diplomatic steps to resolve the conflict,” said the Kremlin.
The Russian press note also said that Modi “informed on his international contacts, including ones during his recent visit to Washington”. There was no mention of Modi briefing Putin about his state visit in the Indian press communique.
Last week, Modi had been feted with a state dinner and diplomatic pageantry at Washington, with both sides declaring that it was a breakthrough visit in terms of defence joint production and cooperation in critical technologies.
The Russian president underlined that there should be further “consistent implementation of the major joint projects in various areas and noted with satisfaction substantial growth in trade throughout 2022 and in the first quarter of this year”.
India’s trade volume with Russia has zoomed substantially, largely due to New Delhi purchasing Russian crude after Western markets closed their doors.
“Both leaders agreed to remain in touch and continue to make efforts to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries,” said the Indian statement.
Echoing similar language, the Russian press release said that the leaders “reaffirmed their mutual intention to strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and agreed to maintain contact”.