Indian Prime Minister Calls Putin Encourages Peaceful Resolution With Ukraine

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ukrainian President/PHOTO via Instagram @narendramodi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin he was in favor of an initial and peaceful resolution against the Ukrainian conflict.

Modi conveyed this push a few days after he held talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv.

Modi's visit last week occurred at a war-prone point that began when Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022.

Despite pressure from the West to distance itself from Russia, India still maintains its ties to Moscow, which has been an important supplier of weapons to India since the Soviet Union's time.

Modi said he spoke to Putin by telephone and discussed ways to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

The Kremlin did not provide details except to say the two spoke by telephone.

"Repetitioning India's firm commitment to supporting early, obedient and peaceful conflict resolution," Modi said in a post on X.

Modi shared his 'intention' from his visit to Ukraine with Putin and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as well as a sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to find peace, the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Modi's visit to Ukraine was a continuation of his trip to Russia in July, where he hugged Putin on the same day when Russia's deadly missile strike hit a child's hospital.

The visit angered Ukraine and the US State Department said it had raised concerns to India about its relationship with Russia.

In recent years, Washington has been trying to seduce New Delhi as a way to counter China's growing regional influence.

Zelenskiy told Modi he would support India hosting a second peace summit after a summit held in Switzerland as Kyiv hopes to host countries in the southern region.