Moscow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently holding a joint meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Indian leader emphasised the terrorism and said India has been facing brutality for the past 40 years. "In the last 40-50 years, India has been facing terrorism. We have been facing for 40 years, how horrible and disgusting terrorism is. So, when terror incidents occurred in Moscow when terror incidents occurred in Dagestan, I can imagine how deep its pain would be. I strongly condemn all kinds of terrorism," said PM Modi.
"Be it war, conflicts, terror attacks - everyone who believes in humanity is pained when there is loss of lives. But when innocent children are murdered, when we see innocent children dying, it is heart-wrenching. That pain is immense. I also held a detailed discussion with you over this," he told Putin. "For the restoration of peace, India is ready to cooperate in all ways...I assure you and the world community that India is in favour of peace. Listening to my friend Putin talk about peace yesterday, gives me hope. I would like to say to my media friends - Possible," he said.
PM Modi appeared to criticise Russia once before over its actions in Ukraine when he told Putin in September 2022 that "today's era is not an era of war". Putin said at that time he understood PM Modi's concerns.
India, however, has not condemned Russia's invasion.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, accompanying Modi on the trip, said India wanted to further strengthen energy ties and could seek deals with Rosneft and other leading Russian oil firms. The two countries said they were also exploring an increase in Russian coal sales to India.
In joint statements, they further outlined plans for closer cooperation in developing the Northern Sea Route through Arctic waters and for working together in space exploration, among other areas.
(With inputs from agency)
