Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met China's top diplomat and hailed the “steady progress” made in improving the countries' relationship after a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed powers.

A call between the leaders of Russia and India affirmed the countries’ close ties despite Washington’s demands for New Delhi to wean itself off Russian oil. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked his “friend,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in New Delhi by the end of year.According to sources, Putin will travel to New Delhi but no dates have been finalised yet. MeanwhilePM Modi and Putin will also hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin scheduled at the end of this month.