Calling for an immediate end to Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed hope that the “ongoing talks between Moscow and Kyiv will pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the conflict”.
“I have spoken with Presidents of both Ukraine and Russia over the telephone, several times. I not only appealed to them for peace but also suggested President Putin hold direct talks with the Ukrainian President,” Modi told US President Joe Biden during a virtual meeting.
Though Modi said that India had condemened the alleged killings of innocent civilians in Bucha city immediately after reports of the same surfaced, he reiterated Delhi’s neutral stance on the war in Ukraine during the meet that coincided with the maiden India-US 2+2 dialogue under the Biden regime.
“Today, our interaction is being held at a time when the situation in Ukraine is a matter of concern. A few weeks back, over 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine, most of them were young students.
“India has sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and other neighbouring nations. Further, on the demand of Ukraine, the Indian government is sending another consignment of medicines soon,” the Prime Minister told President Biden.
Earlier this month, India called for the “cessation of violence” in Ukraine, as visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had called on Modi in his office in Delhi.
“PM Modi called for an end to violence as Lavrov briefed him on the situation in Ukraine, including pace negotiations,” the Indian Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, after the hour-long meeting on April 1.
India’s statement came in the face of massive global pressure on New Delhi to take a stand against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Later addressing the media, Lavrov had said that they would welcome Modi’s mediation in diffusing the Ukraine crisis.
In February too, Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately halt military action against Ukraine, underscoring the need for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
This was after Ukraine’s envoy in Delhi had sought Modi’s intervention in ending the Russian offensive.
Source: United News of Bangladesh