July 9th 2024.
Moscow:
During a televised opening at the summit talks in the Kremlin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine cannot be resolved through violence and that peace talks cannot succeed amidst the sound of bombs, guns, and bullets. Modi also expressed his sorrow and pain over the recent bombing of a children's hospital in Ukraine, stating that the loss of innocent lives is heartbreaking.
As a country that values peace, Modi assured the world community that India stands on the side of peace and is willing to cooperate in any way possible to resolve the conflict. He stressed the importance of peace for the future of the new generation and reiterated that a solution cannot be found on the battlefield.
The 22nd India-Russia annual summit took place after Modi's arrival in Moscow for a two-day visit, which has been closely monitored by the West due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The US State Department also urged India to make it clear to Russia that any resolution to the conflict must respect the UN charter, Ukraine's territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
In his remarks, Modi made a veiled reference to the recent bombing of a children's hospital in Ukraine that claimed the lives of innocent children. He expressed his pain and sorrow over the loss of lives, especially of innocent children. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed disappointment over Modi hugging Putin, calling him a "bloody criminal". Zelenskyy also brought attention to the recent bombing, stating that it was a devastating blow to peace efforts.
During their informal meeting the previous night, Modi and Putin discussed their views on the Ukraine conflict, with Modi also sharing the expectations of the Global South for peace and stability. Modi also highlighted the importance of India-Russia cooperation in averting food, fuel, and fertiliser shortages for the Indian people in the past few years. He praised their friendship and expressed a desire for further expansion of their cooperation.
Modi also addressed the issue of terrorism, stating that India has been facing the challenge for around 40 years and condemning all forms of terrorism. After the summit, he described his discussions with Putin as productive and emphasized the importance of boosting connectivity and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
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