India ready to provide all possible help to end Russia-Ukraine conflict: PM Modi to Putin

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, said that India has been in touch with all sides on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and that “India is always ready to help bring peace”.

In his opening remarks at the meeting with Putin on the eve of the BRICS summit, Modi said, “We have been in touch with all sides in the Russia-Ukraine problem. It has always been our position that all conflicts can be solved with dialogue. We believe there should be peaceful solutions to conflicts. India is always ready to help bring peace.”

These remarks must be viewed in the context of Modi’s earlier conversation with Putin on the Ukraine conflict and his two meetings with the Ukrainian President since August. Following his visit to Kyiv, Modi telephoned Putin to share his thoughts and later NSA also met Putin and apprised him about the PM’s trip. While India has not created a peace formula like Brazil and China, New Delhi has been in touch with all stakeholders to end the conflict through negotiations and pitched for Russia’s presence in peace summits for durable peace.

During the meeting in the heritage city of Kazan, the two leaders held in-depth dialogue, eyeing to expand strategic and economic partnership that covered a slew of subjects comprising Arctic, Far-East Russia, agriculture sector (fertilisers), energy, civil nuclear energy, industrial and strategic minerals connectivity initiatives and region-to-region cooperation, ET has learnt. The two leaders also focused on soft power promotion and Indian manpower in Russia.
Referring to the depth of partnership, Modi said, “My two visits to Russia in the past three months reflect our close coordination and deep friendship. Our cooperation in every field has been strengthened by our annual summit held in Moscow in July.”

Later in a post on X after the meeting, Modi said, “Had a wonderful meeting with President Putin. India-Russia relations are deeply rooted. The talks focused on further strengthening bilateral partnership in various sectors.”

At the start of the meeting, Putin said he thought PM Modi would understand his remarks without translation as both nations shared a strong relationship. The PM reciprocated with a hearty laugh.

Putin said the ties were “specially privileged” and “developing dynamically” during the bilateral meeting with PM Modi.

Putin also pointed to frequent contact with Modi. “I would like to welcome you all to Russia, this time in Kazan,” Putin told Modi after a warm embrace. India has announced plans to open a consulate in Kazan.

“I remember with warmth your visit to Moscow in July and the fruitful negotiations with you,” the Russian leader recalled.

Modi, who is in Kazan for the 16th BRICS summit, also indicated about the group’s partnership mechanism by mentioning the growing interest by various countries to join the group. “In the last fifteen years, BRICS has established its unique identity, and now several countries around the world wish to join it.”

BRICS was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining it in 2011. On January 1, 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, became its full-fledged members. The Kazan summit will be the first to be attended by the new members of the group. Representatives of over 30 countries are expected to take part.

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