PM Narendra Modi had an in-depth conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday about the current situation regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This was a high-level conversation vigorously centered on deepening relations and on reinforcement of the continued commitment of the two nations to the strategic partnership. This came soon after a telephonic discussion the Prime Minister had with President Joe Biden, which further underscored India’s appraisals on recent events in Ukraine and its unswerving emphasis on the role dialogue and diplomacy play in securing peace and stability in the region.
During the meeting with the President, the Prime Minister briefed him in detail on his visit to Ukraine last week. The visit was a vital diplomatic engagement for the Prime Minister, as it was created just last week. He flew to Poland en route to Ukraine. He said continuous dialogue and diplomatic engagement were necessary to pave the way toward a sustainable and peaceful solution regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Modi’s views aimed at understanding and creating an amicable solution to withstand the several tensions lying across the region.
Besides discussing the Russia-Ukraine issue, the meeting allowed Prime Minister Modi and President Putin to review several bilateral agenda items. They explored ways to deepen interaction between India and Russia. This interaction falls within the framework of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. This partnership is a cornerstone of their bilateral relationship. It is dynamic and constantly evolving, reflecting their common interests and strategic priorities. The Heads of State also reviewed the outcome of PM Modi’s visit to Russia in early November. During this visit, they held the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit. The visit improved historical relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting also addressed a number of the regional and global issues of mutual interest that had come up. The two took the opportunity to share their views regarding different global challenges. And opportunities, in the process helping each other to get their positions right on issues affecting international stability and cooperation. That suggested that the broader geopolitical context might have shifted since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, among others.
During the call, the two leaders had a detailed exchange on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi shared insights from his visit to Ukraine, underlining that processes of dialogue and diplomacy should continue. He further conveyed his expectation that all stakeholders will genuinely and pragmatically engage to ensure the process is successful in ushering an end to the current conflagration of the situation.
Post the interaction, PM Modi shared with his followers the gist of the conversation he had with President Putin. He said, “Spoke with President Putin today. We discussed measures to further strengthen our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Exchanged views on the conflict in Russia-Ukraine, sharing feedback from my recent visit to Ukraine. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding, and peaceful resolution of the conflict.”
Significantly, as part of his visit to Ukraine, PM Modi became the first Indian premier to visit the European nation. The Indian Prime Minister, in his address after the talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, conducted in the format of a bilateral meeting. He said that India condemns all acts of war and violence and stands for sovereignty. He expressed that India has never been neutral but has always favored peace. However, Modi has set out now to reaffirm that the gigantic country of India stands ready to step in help to bolster peace and progress in the region.
Since February 2022, the rest of the world remains glued as Russia and Ukraine have engaged in conflict. Assertions on the part of PM Modi, too, being an interlocutor in those conversations with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy, suggest that India has taken upon itself a proactive diplomatic role in finding a solution to the conflict and ensuring stability in the region. Efforts in the dialogue between India and Russia and strategic discussions of the Prime Minister have been a continuing vault in sculpting international response to the conflict and propelling global peace initiatives.
ANI
