Ukraine: PM Modi dials Putin, reiterates peace and dialogue to resolve conflict
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Amid reports that the ailing Russian President has shifted to a ‘bunker’ in Moscow following a severe outbreak of influenza, and that Russia has not only intensified war in Ukraine but also planning a major offensive in early 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed Vladimir Putin on Friday reiterating that dialogue and diplomacy are “the only way forward” to end the conflict.
Modi’s telephone conversation with President Putin came a week after reports that he may not travel to Russia for the annual India-Russia Summit in December because of “scheduling” problems.
The two leaders, however, agreed to remain in regular touch with each other, the media reported.
In a statement, Moscow said, “At the request of Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin gave fundamental assessments of Russia’s line on the Ukrainian direction.”
Following up on their meeting in Samarkand on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in September, the two leaders also reviewed several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, trade and investments, defense and security cooperation, and other key areas.
PM Modi briefed President Putin on India’s ongoing presidency of the G20, highlighting its key priorities.
“He also looked forward to both countries working together during India’s Chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,” an official release said.
In September, while trying to de-escalate the conflict, PM Modi had told Putin at the SCO Summit in Samarkand that “today’s era is not of war. “This earned him wide praise from the West which saw it as a “public rebuke” to Russia. The PM’s anti-war message also found a mention in a declaration by leaders of the G20 Summit gathered in Indonesia’s Bali in November.
Russia’s Ambassador to India Denis Alimov had said the PM’s remarks have been consistent with India’s position on the issue. “The West uses only those quotes that suit them while ignoring other parts,” he had said.
The last Indo-Russian annual summit was held in India in December 2022, in which Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to New Delhi for a six-hour visit. It was Russia’s turn this year to host the meeting.
