Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, emphasised the futility of resolving conflicts through violence. On the Ukraine conflict, PM Modi stressed that peaceful dialogue will not succeed amid bombs, guns and bullets. “Peace is paramount for a bright future for the new generation,” he said.
During his first visit to Moscow since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with President Putin. In a televised address, the Prime Minister assured Putin and the international community that India stands on the side of peace and is ready to contribute to ending the conflict in Ukraine. The Prime Minister highlighted the human cost of the war, particularly the loss of innocent lives, including children, describing it as “heartbreaking and extremely painful.”
Referring to his informal meeting with Putin on Monday, PM Modi expressed hope to hear the Russian president’s views. “During our meeting yesterday, we listened to each other’s views on Ukraine and also conveyed our hope for peace and stability in the Southern Hemisphere,” PM Modi said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for his efforts in finding a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis. “I appreciate your attention to the most pressing issues, in particular your efforts to find a way to resolve the Ukraine crisis through peaceful means,” Putin told the state-run TASS news agency, which reported that Putin made the remarks during talks with Prime Minister Modi in the Kremlin.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged Russia’s support to India in the energy sector. “At a time when the world was facing shortage of food, fuel and fertilizer, we did not allow our farmers to face difficulties. Our friendly relations with Russia played a role in that,” he noted. PM Modi said he hopes for further cooperation with Russia to ensure the welfare of Indian farmers.
Prime Minister Modi stressed that stronger ties between India and Russia will greatly benefit the people of both countries. He also condemned terrorism in all its forms and noted the ongoing challenge of terrorism. “India has been facing the challenge of terrorism for almost four decades now. I condemn terrorism in all its forms,” he said.
(With input from relevant agencies)
