Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, following Modi’s significant visit to Ukraine last week. This dialogue underscores the ongoing diplomatic engagements regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Spoke with President Putin today. We discussed measures to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. We shared our perspectives on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as my insights from my recent visit to Ukraine. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding, and peaceful resolution of the conflict,” PM Modi posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the phone call.
According to the Kremlin, PM Modi informed President Putin about his recent visit to Kyiv, highlighting his interest in contributing to a potential political and diplomatic resolution of the situation surrounding Ukraine.
In response, Vladimir Putin provided a comprehensive assessment of what he termed the “destructive line” taken by the Kiev authorities and their Western supporters. He also outlined Russia’s key strategies and approaches to resolving the conflict, as reported by the Russian President’s office.
The Kremlin’s statement further mentioned that the discussions also covered “issues of practical implementation of agreements” related to the trade and economic sector, which were established during PM Modi’s visit to Russia in July.
There was a mutual expression of satisfaction regarding the level of cooperation between India and Russia within the framework of BRICS. PM Modi also reaffirmed his readiness to take part in the BRICS summit, set to take place in Kazan under Russia’s chairmanship in October 2024. Both leaders agreed to maintain bilateral communication at various levels, as detailed in the Kremlin’s statement.
In a related development on Monday evening, PM Modi had also contacted US President Joe Biden to discuss the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. During the call, he reiterated India’s steadfast position favoring dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict, emphasizing India’s support for a swift return to peace and stability. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement late Monday night outlining this conversation.
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi had a conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two leaders discussed not only bilateral relations but also their cooperation in multilateral forums, including the Quad grouping, which also involves the United States and Japan.
Following PM Modi’s visit to Kiev on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged India’s support for Ukraine’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Today, we made history,” Zelensky expressed his appreciation. On the eve of Independence Day, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, made his first visit to Ukraine since our country’s independence. Today, we reached an agreement on four documents between Ukraine and India, covering the medical field, agricultural cooperation, humanitarian relations, and culture.”
During his discussions with President Zelensky, PM Modi reiterated India’s principled stance and commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. He also reaffirmed India’s readiness to contribute in “all possible ways” to expedite the restoration of peace in the region.
Reflecting on his visit to Ukraine, PM Modi remarked, “My visit to Ukraine was historic. I came to this wonderful nation with the aim of deepening India-Ukraine friendship. I had productive talks with President Zelensky. India firmly believes that peace must always prevail. After the bilateral discussions in Kyiv, I thank the government and people of Ukraine for their hospitality.
Last month, PM Modi had extensive discussions with President Putin in Moscow, aiming to find a peaceful solution to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. President Putin, recognizing the longstanding friendship and strong ties between India and Russia, acknowledged PM Modi’s initiative in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine crisis. “We had the opportunity to discuss practically all issues in an informal setting. During their meeting on July 9, I am grateful to you for the attention you are paying to the most pressing issues, including trying to find some ways to resolve the Ukrainian crisis and, of course, first and foremost, peacefully.”
