Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in discussions with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting India’s diplomatic efforts amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The conversations occurred against the backdrop of Putin’s reelection as President and the persistent lack of de-escalation in the war.
Sources revealed to NDTV that both Zelenskyy and Putin regard India as a crucial peacemaker in the region. They extended invitations to Prime Minister Modi to visit their respective countries following the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Modi’s last visit to Russia was in 2018.
In his conversation with President Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Modi emphasized strengthening the India-Ukraine partnership and reiterated India’s commitment to a people-centric approach, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. He assured India’s continued support for a peaceful resolution.
President Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and agreed to maintain communication with Prime Minister Modi.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Putin on his reelection, affirming India’s commitment to deepen the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between India and Russia. Both leaders pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation in various domains.
India’s stance emphasizes diplomatic avenues for resolving the conflict, which commenced with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace.
Putin’s overwhelming victory in the Presidential elections solidifies his grip on power, despite criticisms of the electoral process by the West. Meanwhile, Ukraine seeks urgent financial assistance from the US Congress to mitigate the impacts of the conflict. US Defence Secretary Lloys J Austin highlighted the substantial economic cost of Russia’s aggression and warned against underestimating its broader implications.
The developments underscore India’s proactive engagement in navigating complex geopolitical dynamics and advocating for peaceful resolutions to international conflicts.
