‘Covid or conflict, India-Russia friendship remain unscathed’
Moscow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India, having always stood on the side of peace, is ready to assist Russia in any possible way to establish peace in the region.
“Yesterday, at your residence, we had a wonderful opportunity to spend four or five hours. We discussed all the issues in a homely atmosphere, and I am very glad that on the topic of Ukraine, we exchanged opinions in an open manner, respected each other’s opinions, and talked calmly,” said PM Modi while making his opening remarks during the bilateral with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace.
While highlighting India-Russia friendship, his personal camaraderie with the Russian leader, his several visits to Russia and 22 summits between the two countries over the past 25 years, he said that the whole world is currently watching with great interest his ongoing visit to Moscow.
“As your friend, I always tell you that peace is necessary for the bright future of our future generations. That is why we believe that war is not a solution. There can be no solution through war. Bombs, missiles and rifles cannot ensure peace, that is why we emphasise dialogue, and dialogue is necessary,” PM Modi remarked.
He added that, during his informal talks with Putin at the latter’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo on Monday, some “very interesting ideas and completely new views” have emerged.
“I am very glad that yesterday we had such an informal conversation, and you expressed your opinion very openly, without any colouring… Let’s take war, any conflict or terrorist acts: any person who believes in humanity feels pain when people die, and especially when innocent children die. When we feel such pain, the heart simply explodes, and I had the opportunity to talk about these issues with you yesterday,” Prime Minister Modi mentioned.
PM Modi reiterated New Delhi’s stance that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives and that escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one’s interest.
“Yesterday we also agreed to establish peace as soon as possible and we are ready to assist in any way in this regard. I have heard your position, your positive views and thoughts. And I can assure you that India has always been on the side of peace. When I listened to you, I felt optimistic and hopes for the future arose. So I want to thank you for that,” he said.
‘Covid or conflict, India-Russia friendship remain unscathed’
Emphasising that the last five years have been quite challenging for the world and the entire humankind considering the Covid pandemic and the uncertain geopolitical situation due to various conflicts thereafter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India-Russia ties, which he asserted, have remained unaffected even during such turmoil.
“Food to fuel and fertiliser, the world underwent a huge crisis. However, thanks to the India-Russia friendship, I did not let the farmers of my country face any kind of uncertainty. We remain committed to the interest of farmers and hope to increase partnership with Russia to help them further,” said PM Modi while making his opening remarks during the bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that he has remained in touch with the Russian President for nearly 25 years now and met him on 17 occasions in the last 10 years.
“The fact that this is my sixth visit to Russia shows how the partnership between the two countries has deepened over the years,” he said.
Raising the issue of terrorism, PM Modi mentioned the recent terrorist attacks in Dagestan and Moscow’s Crocus City Hall.
“India has been facing the issue of terrorism for the last 40-50 years. We know how horrible it can really be. So, when the terror attacks took place in Moscow and in Dagestan, I could well imagine the pain it would have caused. India strongly condemns all kinds of terrorism,” Prime Minister Modi mentioned on the second and final day of his trip to Moscow.
The Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced enormously during PM Modi’s term over the past 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. A lot has changed in the region since then, especially after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
However, the India-Russia Special and Privileged Partnership has remained resilient in the wake of multiple geopolitical challenges that the world has been facing.
New Delhi has maintained a steady relationship with Moscow even as PM Modi repeatedly asserted that no solution can ever arrive at the cost of human lives and that escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one’s interest.
“Be it war, conflicts or terror attacks, anyone who believes in humanity is moved and pained when lives are lost. More so when innocent children are murdered, to see them dying is heart-wrenching and unimaginable. I held a detailed discussion on this with you over this,” said the Prime Minister without specifically mentioning Monday’s bombing of a children’s hospital in Ukraine’s capital.
