Unraveling what Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin spoke about Wagner mutiny

In a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly expressed his backing for the Russian leadership’s response to the Wagner mutiny, an event that has drawn global attention.

According to translated statements from the Kremlin, Modi advocated the Russian government’s decisive actions to maintain stability, enforce law and order, and ensure the security of its citizens.

In their conversation, the leaders also discussed the Ukraine crisis, with Modi reiterating his stance that dialogue and diplomacy remain the best avenues for resolving the ongoing conflict. Putin and Modi reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The leaders praised the continuous implementation of joint projects in various sectors, expressing satisfaction over the significant growth in trade between India and Russia in 2022 and the first quarter of the current year. The leaders discussed India’s role in multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where it currently holds the chairmanship, as well as its participation in the G20 and BRICS.

Narendra Modi backs Vladmir Putin’s response to Wagner uprising. Photo courtesy of Presidential Press and Information Office/www.kremlin.ru/Wikimedia Commons.

The Indian Prime Minister also updated Putin on his recent visit to Washington and his other international engagements. Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Putin expressed concerns over Kyiv’s apparent refusal to engage in necessary political and diplomatic steps for conflict resolution.

The Kremlin characterized the conversation as informative and constructive, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to enhance the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between their countries.

The conversation between the two leaders comes in the aftermath of a revolt initiated by the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which has caused escalating tensions between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin. After a mediation intervention by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the uprising was subdued and charges against Prigozhin were later dropped by the Russian Federal Security Service.