PM Modi reiterates India’s stand on Ukraine’s discussions, talks and diplomacy with Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin – his fourth telephone conversation since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24. They discussed the situation in Ukraine where Modi reiterated India’s position on dialogue and diplomacy.
They had previously spoken over the phone on February 24, March 2 and March 7 – when Indian nationals, mostly students, were still stranded in Ukraine.
A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The two leaders reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during President Putin’s visit to India in December 2021. In particular, they discussed how bilateral trade in agricultural commodities, fertilizers and pharma products should be pursued.” Thoughts were exchanged on this. May be encouraged further.”
“The leaders also discussed global issues, including the state of international energy and food markets,” it said.
“In the context of the current situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s old position in favor of dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said, adding that the leaders looked forward to continuing regular consultations on global and bilateral issues. agreed.
While Russia has emerged as a major oil supplier to India, Modi joined the summit with the G-7 countries. While India has not criticized Russia, it has condemned the killings in Buka and called for an international investigation – perceived as moving closer to the US-led West.
Explained
BALANCE ACT OF INDIA
India has tried to maintain a diplomatic balance between the West and Russia as the Ukraine conflict unfolds over the past four months. New Delhi has condemned the alleged killings of Russian citizens in Ukraine’s Bucha and demanded a probe. But at the same time, it has not joined the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West and has not criticized Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
However, India has always tried to maintain a diplomatic balance between the US-led West and Russia, as the conflict has been going on for the past four months. It has always stuck to its position that New Delhi has called for an end to hostilities and advocated the path of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the conflict.
India has not joined the sanctions imposed by the US and Europe on Russia, and Moscow sees this as a window of opportunity to engage with New Delhi. In this context, talks on trade in agricultural products, fertilizers and pharma products are important.
New Delhi, which does not want Moscow to back Beijing, has also maintained strong communication with Russia so that it has an uninterrupted supply of defense equipment – both new and parts. About 60 to 70 percent of India’s defense supplies come from Russia, and this dependence is significant at a time when India and China are currently locked in a border standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Modi, who attended the G-7 summit in Germany with US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders, also attended the BRICS summit, which was attended by Putin and chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping.