Moscow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that the death of innocent children was "very painful". The critical remarks from PM Modi came a day after a lethal strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv. The Prime Minister stressed that India is ready to cooperate in order to restore peace. The Indian leader made the televised remarks at a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin. Meanwhile, in a reply, Putin said their two countries enjoyed a special strategic partnership and thanked him for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the war.
He welcomed Modi to the Kremlin for talks on deepening the bilateral relationship, a day after the United States said it had raised concerns with India about its ties with Moscow. "Our relations have the character of a particularly privileged strategic partnership," Putin said. During the bilateral meeting, PM Modi told Putin that the death of innocent children in war, conflict or a terrorist attack was "very painful". He also said that a solution to the war in Ukraine "cannot be found on the battlefield ... we have to find peace through talks".
"I thank you for the attention you are paying to the most acute problems including trying to find ways to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, above all by peaceful means, of course."
India has become an increasingly important partner for sanctions-hit Russia as it shifts its trade away from the West and seeks to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate it have failed. India has refrained from criticising Russia over the war and has increased its purchases of cheap Russian oil to record levels while urging Ukraine and Russia to resolve their conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
"PM Modi is not claiming to be a mediator": Russia
Meanwhile, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said President Putin and PM Modi constructively discussed the topic of Ukraine, with the Indian leader not claiming the role of a mediator. "Modi is not claiming to be a mediator," Peskov said after the Russia-India bilateral talks, when asked what Russia thinks about the Indian prime minister’s potential mediation on Ukraine. According to the Kremlin spokesman, Modi also suggests settlement proposals. “Everyone discusses peace, everyone wants peace and we want peace too, and we want our security to be ensured. That is why we exchange views,” he said.
Earlier, Peskov said he doubts that NATO countries will consider the peace initiatives of Prime Minister Modi. "A NATO summit is taking place these days. All the rhetoric that preceded it indicates that it is unlikely they will hear them, but we will continue to monitor what approaches will dominate there,” he told the Telegram channel, Shot. But Peskov also said that “more and more statesmen are really talking about dialogue.” "One can disagree about some things. One can disagree about many things. But if there is a dialogue, there is an opportunity to find solutions,” Peskov said.
Putin also said that he believes that Moscow and New Delhi maintain a privileged strategic partnership. “Our countries have enjoyed decades of good friendship,” he said. “Today, our relations have the nature of a privileged strategic partnership,” he added. The Russian leader expressed satisfaction with growing trade between the two countries which he said saw a 66 per cent increase last year “and rose by another 20 per cent in the first quarter of this year.” Putin once again congratulated Modi on his re-election as Indian prime minister.
Putin invites Modi to attend BRICS Summit, Indian leader accepts
He also noted that Modi had arrived in Russia for his first official foreign visit after he was sworn in for another term at the helm of the government following the Indian general election last month. Putin also invited Modi to the BRICS summit set to take place in the Russian city of Kazan in October. “We will be pleased to see you at the BRICS summit in Kazan this fall,” the Russian leader said, addressing Modi. Russia holds the BRICS presidency this year.
Prime Minister Modi has said he will come in Russia again in October to attend a BRICS summit in Kazan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "Narendra Modi said that he is glad to accept [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin’s invitation and will take part in the BRICS summit in Kazan this October,” Lavrov was quoted as saying by Tass news agency. BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates have joined BRICS as its new members.
(With inputs from agency)
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