New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi “exchanged perspectives” on the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday, a day after he spoke to US President Joe Biden and reiterated India’s full support for “early return of peace and stability”.
Modi shared with Putin his “insights from the recent visit to Ukraine”, saying he was firmly committed to “an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict”.
In a post on X, Modi also said he discussed measures to further strengthen their “special and privileged strategic partnership”.
Spoke with President Putin today. Discussed measures to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Exchanged perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and my insights from the recent visit to Ukraine. Reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an early,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2024
Modi’s visit to Kyiv on 23 August was the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister since ties were established with the Eastern European country. He also assured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India was ready to play an “active role” in every effort for peace.
Putin’s ‘peace’ initiatives
According to the Russian readout of the conversation between the two leaders, Putin outlined key Russian approaches to resolve the conflict, and also gave a “fundamental assessment” of the “destructive line” taken by Kyiv and its Western partners.
According to the Kremlin, Modi also confirmed his readiness to take part in the BRICS annual leaders’ summit in Russia’s Kazan in October.
Modi had visited Russia last month, when the two leaders discussed a variety of issues, including India’s position that no solution could be found on the battlefield, and that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward.
In February 2022, Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine. The conflict has continued since with Moscow gaining in eastern Ukraine, while Kyiv captured parts of Kursk in an operation launched last week.
The US and the European Union have backed Ukraine, supplying it with arms and aid to rebuild its economy.
Also read: At least 8 Indians dead fighting for Russia, 63 others want to come home, govt tells Rajya Sabha
‘Historic visits’: Biden lauds Modi
On Monday, the Indian PM briefed Biden about his visit to Ukraine and reiterated India’s support for an early return of peace, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
According to the White House, Biden commended Modi for his “historic” visits to Poland and Ukraine and for his “message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine”.
The US readout of the call, however, made no mention of their discussion on Bangladesh, while the Indian side said both leaders were concerned about the country’s situation.
The MEA statement said: “The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh. They emphasised restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.”
Relations between India and the US hit a rough patch last month when Modi visited Russia at a time when the US was hosting NATO leaders in Washington to mark 75 years of the western military alliance.
The US administration had urged New Delhi to reschedule the India-Russia bilateral summit to dates that did not coincide with the NATO summit. US top diplomat Donald Lu told the country’s powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee that Washington was holding “tough talks” with India over the “timing and symbolism” of Modi’s visit to Moscow.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
Comprehensive report !! So during the call with Putin, even the Indian readout didn’t mention Bangladesh, right ? Even though Russia has some investments in Bangladesh’s critical infrastructure, if I remember