Putin holds phone call with Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss "several current issues", but the Ministry of External Affairs refused to disclose what transpired between the two leaders.

"Putin had a telephone conversation with Modi at the Indian side's initiative. The two leaders had a constructive and friendly discussion of several current issues related to developing the privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India," Kremlin tweeted in a statement.

Asked what was discussed between the two leaders, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "All matters of mutual interest have been discussed in the telephonic conversation between Modi and Putin I can't add more to the Kremlin statement."

The telephonic conversation in Wednesday took place against the backdrop of use of chemical weapons in the town of Douma in eastern Syria that triggered sharp reactions all over the globe.

"India is against the use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anybody, under any circumstances. We hope that this issue is resolved in accordance with the provisions of the chemical weapons convention, so as to reach evidence-based conclusion," Kumar said.

Putin also had a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Moscow on Thursday asked the world leaders to "seriously consider" the consequences of threats against Syria after the US and France said they would respond to a chemical attack.