Modi Hails ‘Friend’ Putin and Boosts China Ties in Tilt From US

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a “friend” while his government moved to bolster relations with China, another sign the South Asian nation is tilting away from the US in the face of Donald Trump 's tariff threats.

Modi held a phone call with Putin following the Russian president's summit with Trump in Alaska. During the conversation, the two discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and agreed to remain in close touch, according to an official statement from New Delhi.