Moscow, Mar 22: The separate telephonic conversations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being seen as a fresh affirmation of how PM Modi is being seen as a peacemaker between the countries that are locked in a protracted military conflict, sources said.During the telephonic conversation on Wednesday, PM Modi received invitations from Russian President Putin and Zelenskyy to visit the two countries amid the ongoing conflict, according to sources.
Earlier, on Wednesday, PM Modi also held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated India’s stand on dialogue and diplomacy as a way for the resolution of the ongoing war against Ukraine, said an official release.
In conversation with the Ukrainian President, PM Modi reiterated India’s people-centric approach and called for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Prime Minister noted that India supports all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution of all issues between the parties. He added that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution.
After the telephonic conversation Zelenskyy posted on X ” I spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express gratitude for India’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, humanitarian aid, and active participation in Peace Formula meetings. It will be important for us to see India attend the inaugural Peace Summit, which is currently being prepared in Switzerland.
We discussed the development of our bilateral relations, which should include a meeting of our teams and a session of the intergovernmental commission on cooperation in New Delhi in the nearest future. Ukraine is interested in strengthening our trade and economic ties with India, particularly in agricultural exports, aviation cooperation, and pharmaceutical and industrial product trade.”
A PMO release also said that the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen India-Ukraine partnership in various spheres. President Zelenskyy appreciated India’s continued humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
The two leaders agreed to make concerted efforts towards further strengthening the Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in the years to come. They also reviewed progress in various issues of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. “While discussing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward,” a PMO release said.