Aug 28 (Reuters) – Russia might be represented by its overseas minister on the G20 summit in New Delhi, President Vladimir Putin advised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a telephone name on Monday the place the 2 leaders additionally mentioned bilateral ties.

The two leaders additionally spoke in regards to the deliberate growth of the BRICS group of rising economies – comprising India, Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa – in addition to a summit of the G20 membership of main economies that New Delhi will host subsequent month.

Last week, Modi and Putin each took half within the BRICS summit in South Africa, although the Russian chief attended solely by way of video hyperlink due to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for him over alleged struggle crimes in Ukraine.

The Kremlin, which strongly denies the ICC allegations, has stated Putin would additionally not attend the G20 gathering in India.

Putin advised Modi Russia could be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in response to a press release from the Indian authorities.

“While expressing an understanding for Russia’s decision, PM thanked President Putin for Russia’s consistent support to all initiatives under India’s G20 Presidency,” the Indian authorities stated.

Russia has sought to additional strengthen already heat ties with India after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow. India is a significant purchaser of Russian oil.

“Topical issues of Russian-Indian relations, which are progressively developing in the spirit of a particularly privileged strategic partnership, were considered (in the call),” the Kremlin stated in a press release.

“The positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation was affirmed,” it added.

Both Russia and India launched lunar probes this month, however solely the Indian one landed efficiently on the moon whereas the Russian craft crashed.

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