Ahead of BRICS, PM again tells Putin to resolve Ukraine conflict peacefully

The Russia-Ukraine conflict should be resolved in a peaceful manner and India is ready to provide support in achieving it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Modi, who is visiting Russia for the second time in three months, made these remarks during a bilateral meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit at Kazan.

At the meeting, Modi said, “We have been in touch in the past and India believes that all issues should be resolved peacefully... India supports immediate need for restoration of peace and stability. And is ready to lend any support in this direction.”

Briefing the media at Kazan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Modi and Putin shared their perspectives on the conflict. “The PM reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward,” he said, adding that Modi also briefed Putin about his meetings with Ukrainian leadership in August.

After visiting Moscow in July, Modi had later gone to Ukraine and spoken about the need for peaceful resolution of the conflict through talks.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had visited Russia in September and met Putin to brief him about Modi’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

At the meeting today, Modi said, “This is my second visit within three months that reflects the deep friendship and understanding we have.”

Misri said both the leaders had an extensive agenda, including trade, economic ties.

Earlier, before departing from New Delhi, the PM said, “India values close cooperation within BRICS, which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation and building resilient supply chains.” The release of Indian youths, who had joined the Russian army, was discussed at the meeting with Putin. On energy, Misri said the two sides would work to set up four more units at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.

On his arrival at Kazan, Modi was accorded a guard of honour besides being given the traditional ‘Tatarian’ welcome with bread and dessert.

Misri said Modi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and the matter of the Chabahar port and the north-south transit corridor was discussed with focus on having seamless connectivity.