Putin proposes meeting with Modi at BRICS summit next month
In a boost to peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin today and conveyed details of the discussions between India and Ukraine on possible measures for resolving the conflict.
Doval met Putin on the sidelines of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) NSAs meeting at Saint Petersburg. During the meeting, Putin proposed a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi next month on the sidelines of the BRICS leaders’ summit in Kazan, Russia.
Prime Minister Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had met in Kyiv on August 23, with Doval present among the inner core group of Modi’s team during the meeting. The Indian NSA conveyed details of the talks in Kyiv, according to the Kremlin, which published a transcript and photos of the Putin-Doval meeting on its website.
The transcript quoted Doval as saying, “He (Modi) wanted me to come in person and tell you about the talks that took place (in Kyiv). It was a closed format, only the two leaders were present, and I was with Prime Minister (Modi); I witnessed this conversation.”
Earlier this month, Putin suggested that China, India, and Brazil could act as mediators in potential peace talks with Ukraine at an event in Vladivostok. On August 27, Modi spoke with Putin over the phone, emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and sincere engagement for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The Kremlin stated that Putin blamed Ukraine and its ‘Western friends’ for what he called ‘destructive policies.’
Regarding Putin’s proposal for a bilateral meeting with Modi, the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying, “We are waiting for Modi in Kazan. I propose holding a bilateral meeting on October 22 in Kazan to summarise our joint work on implementing the agreements reached during his visit to Moscow and outline prospects for the near future.”
From the Russian side, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu was present at the Doval-Putin meeting in St Petersburg. The Indian Embassy in Russia posted on X about a separate bilateral meeting between Doval and Shoigu, stating, “Both sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed important issues of mutual interest.”
In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “NSA Doval met President Putin. He has other engagements in Russia.” Doval is in St Petersburg to participate in the BRICS NSAs meeting from September 10 to 12.
