Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi supports an early peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. This is what he himself said to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation after a visit to Ukraine, reports "Reuters".
Modi's visit to Kiev last week was the first by an Indian prime minister in Ukraine's modern history. It took place at a volatile time in the war launched in February 2022 by Moscow, a major arms supplier to India since the Soviet Union.
Modi specified that the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the partnership between their countries. The Kremlin did not give details, except that the two had a telephone conversation.
"India's firm commitment to support an early, lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict has been confirmed," Modi said on the X social network about the conversation.
Spoke to @POTUS< /a> @JoeBiden on the phone today. We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated India's full support for early return of peace and stability.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2024
We also discussed the situation in Bangladesh and...
Modi's visit to Ukraine followed one in Russia in July, during which he embraced Putin on the same day a Russian missile strike hit a children's hospital.
His visit angered Ukraine, and the US State Department said it had raised concerns with India about ties with Russia.
In recent years, Washington has tried to court New Delhi as a way to counter China's growing regional influence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he told Modi he would support India hosting a second peace summit as Kiev hopes to find a host among countries in the Global South.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, however, ruled out the possibility of negotiations after Ukraine launched its invasion of Russia's Kursk region on August 6.
With its traditionally close economic and defense ties to Moscow, India refrained from criticizing Russia for the invasion, while increasing purchases of Russian oil to record levels, justifying the move in the national interest.
Ukraine turned to New Delhi to help rebuild its economy by inviting investors from Indian companies to a January business summit in India.
Yesterday, Modi also spoke with US President Joe Biden about his visit to Ukraine.