PM Modi Discusses Strategic Partnership To Conflict In Ukraine With President Putin

PM Modi's meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit. (Twitter/@narendramodi)

JAKARTA - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed strategic partnerships to conflicts in Ukraine when meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

PM Modi said the bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organizational Summit (SCO) in China Monday was "extraordinary."

"I held an extraordinary meeting with President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin. We discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors, including trade, fertilizer, space, security, and culture. We exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the settlement of peaceful conflict in Ukraine. Our special and special strategic partnership remains an important pillar of regional and global stability," tweeted PM Modi at X.

Meanwhile, India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, at a Russia-India meeting in Tianjin, PM Modi and President Putin "discussed bilateral cooperation, including in the economic, financial and energy sectors, and expressed satisfaction with the continued growth of bilateral relations in these areas."

"The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues, including the latest developments related to Ukraine. The Prime Minister reiterated his support for the latest initiatives that have been taken to address the conflict in Ukraine, and stressed the need to accelerate the cessation of conflict, as well as find lasting settlements of peace", the ministry added.

President Putin and PM Modi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening special and special strategic partnerships between the two countries.

"The Prime Minister conveyed to President (Russia Vladimir) Putin he hopes to welcome him to India for the 23rd annual summit later this year," the statement said.

The bilateral meeting of the two leaders this time began in an unusual format: the two leaders communicated privately in Aurus Putin's car on their way to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Tianjin, where the Russian President and the delegation spent the night.

The motorcade of cars arrived at the hotel, and the accompanying delegation entered while President Putin and PM Modi continued their conversation in the car. This conversation lasted 50 minutes.

Then, the leaders moved towards the negotiation room where their delegation had been waiting so far. Their conversation with the members of the delegation also lasted about 50 minutes.