Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that “war cannot solve problems” and called for “peace through dialogue” during his visit to Moscow after more than two years of Kremlin warfare. against Ukraine.
Modi’s visit to Russia comes as tensions in Europe have risen after a massive Russian attack in Ukraine, which also hit a children’s hospital in Kiev.
During his first meeting with Putin in Russia since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine, Modi said the conflict had been discussed “openly and in detail”.
“When innocent children are killed, your heart aches and that pain is unbearable,” Modi told Putni.
Modi went to Moscow on Monday, hours after the mass attack in Ukraine that killed at least 38 people.
“I know that war cannot solve problems, solutions and peace talks cannot succeed in the midst of bombs, guns and bullets,” the Indian leader said.
“We must find a way to peace through dialogue,” he added.
During the meeting in the Kremlin, Putin praised the “long-standing friendship” between Russia and India and said that the countries have a “strategic partnership”.
Putin also presented Modi with Russia’s highest civilian award.
Russia is a key oil and arms supplier to India, but Moscow’s isolation from the West and growing ties with Beijing have had an impact on Russia’s partnership with India.
Western powers have in recent years strengthened ties with India, to counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region, and to pressure New Delhi to distance itself from Russia.
The United States on Monday called on Modi to make it clear to Putin that “any solution to the conflict in Ukraine must be in line with the United Nations Charter and respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
Modi last visited Russia in 2019 and he hosted Putin in the Indian capital two years ago, weeks before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
India has not explicitly condemned Russia for the war against Ukraine and has abstained during the votes on UN resolutions that were against the Kremlin./REL
