At PM Modi-Putin Dinner, India’s Most Direct Appeal To End Ukraine War
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a two-day official visit to Russia, made a direct appeal to end the Ukraine war which has been going on for over two years. During an informal meeting with President Vladimir Putin at the latter’s official residence in Moscow, PM Modi told him that no solution can be found on the battleground.
PM Modi’s visit to Russia marks the first trip since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“India has always called for respecting the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty. There is no solution on the battlefield. Dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward,” PM Modi is believed to have told Putin during the dinner.
During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested the release of Indian soldiers serving in the Russian military amidst the Ukraine conflict.
The PM Modi’s first visit to Russia since the country launched its campaign in Ukraine and since he returned to power last month for a record third term. India has shied away from explicit condemnation of Russia ever since and has abstained on United Nations resolutions censuring Moscow.
Congratulating PM Modi on his third term, Vladimir Putin remarked that his re-election underscores Modi’s effectiveness in advancing India’s interests: “The results speak for themselves; India now ranks third globally in terms of economy.”
During the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, the two leaders will assess the entire spectrum of multifaceted relations between their nations and exchange perspectives on current regional and global issues of mutual concern, as stated by the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi on Thursday.
The meeting marks the 16th encounter between PM Modi and President Putin in the past decade, with their last face-to-face interaction occurring at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2022.
PM Modi will also embark on a historic visit to Austria, making him the first Prime Minister of India to visit the nation in 40 years