Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. He reaffirmed India's willingness to offer all possible assistance to help end the war.
Modi made these comments during a bilateral discussion with Putin at the Brics Summit held in Kazan, Russia, marking their second interaction since July. The conversation addressed various topics, including the Ukraine conflict, bilateral relations, trade and investment, as well as the expansion of the Brics group.
This statement reiterated India's long-standing position that both Russia and Ukraine should cease hostilities and return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. At the India-Russia Summit in Moscow in July, Modi stated that peace negotiations cannot succeed under the threat of violence and that solutions cannot be achieved on the battlefield.
Russian President Vladimir Putin embraces Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in Kazan, Russia (via REUTERS)
In August, during a visit to Kyiv, Modi conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that resolving the conflict requires engaging with Russia.
Sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that the Kazan meeting provided an opportunity for the Indian delegation to relay further messages from the Ukrainian side, following several discussions between senior officials from India and Ukraine in recent weeks.
India has refrained from publicly criticizing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and has not supported most Ukraine-related resolutions at the UN. Additionally, it has increased its purchases of Russian crude oil in response to Western sanctions, making Russia a significant energy supplier for India.
Modiji’s Comment
In a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Modi stated,"I have been in constant touch with you on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I have said earlier, we believe that the problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner."
“We fully support the early establishment of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in the times to come,” the prime minister added.
This marks the prime minister's second visit to Russia within the past three months. “My two visits to Russia in the last three months reflect our close coordination and deep friendship. Our Annual Summit in Moscow in July has strengthened our cooperation in every field...In 15 years, the BRICS has created its special identity and now many countries of the world want to join it. I am looking forward to participating in the BRICS Summit tomorrow,” Modi said.
What did Putin say during his bilateral talks with Modi?
When asked last week about India's potential role in mediating the conflict with Ukraine during a press interaction with reporters from BRICS member states, Putin expressed that Russia would be open to collaborating with “friends whom we completely trust” on the issue.
During the meeting, Modi informed Putin that his two visits to Russia in the last three months demonstrated the strong coordination and deep friendship between their nations.
Modi also mentioned that the opening of a new Indian consulate in Kazan would further strengthen these relations.
He added that BRICS has established a unique identity over the past 15 years, and many countries are now eager to join the group. In response, Putin indicated that several decisions would be made during the summit in Kazan to improve the effectiveness of BRICS initiatives.
Putin’s Comment
“I remember we met in July and had a very good discussion on several issues. We also spoke on the telephone a lot of times. I am very grateful to you for accepting the invitation to come to Kazan.”
“Today, we will participate in the opening ceremony of the BRICS Summit and after that, we will have a dinner. During the upcoming BRICS Summit today with other leaders, we should take some very important decisions,” the Russian president added.
“Russian-Indian relations have the character of a particularly privileged strategic partnership and continue to actively develop,” Putin added.
“We value our cooperation on this track, considering that our nations were instrumental in founding the association,” Putin said.
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