Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), on Friday.
This is the first meeting between the two leaders after the Ukraine conflict broke out in February this year.
According to media reports, the two discussed bilateral, regional and global issues. Modi told Putin that now is not the time for war as food, fertiliser and fuel security are among the major concerns of the world at present.
The Russian president is understood to have told Modi that he understands the latter's concerns regarding the Ukraine war and added that, "We want all of this to end as soon as possible. We will keep you abreast of what is happening there"
India has not yet criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, but has been pushing for resolution of the crisis through dialogue.
Putin told Modi that although the Indian PM is celebrating his birthday tomorrow, he cannot wish him as it is not Russian tradition to wish someone in advance. "We wish you all the best. We wish all the best to the friendly Indian nation and we wish prosperity to India and to your leadership."
"The relationship between India and Russia are developing. They have the nature of a strategic privileged partnership and they continue to develop very rapidly," Putin Said.
