Putin and Modi Hold Summit... Discuss Ukraine Issue and Economic Cooperation Plans

Prime Minister Modi Visits Russia After 5 Years
White House: "India is a Strategic Partner"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the Ukraine issue and ways to strengthen economic cooperation on the 9th (local time) in Russia.

According to the Kremlin, President Putin began the summit at the Moscow Kremlin and told Prime Minister Modi, "I appreciate your attention to the most serious issues, including efforts to find ways to resolve the Ukraine crisis peacefully." Prime Minister Modi, who is visiting Russia for two days starting the day before, emphasized, "War does not solve problems, and bombs, missiles, and rifles cannot bring peace," adding, "We must find a path to peace through dialogue."

Earlier, during Modi's visit to Russia on the 8th, Russian forces targeted major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, resulting in 38 deaths and over 190 injuries. The damaged buildings included a children's hospital.

Regarding this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized on social media that despite such attacks, Prime Minister Modi visited Russia, calling it very disappointing.

President Putin noted that this year marks the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, emphasizing, "Our relationship has the character of a special privileged strategic partnership." He also mentioned that the two countries closely cooperate on the international stage through the United Nations (UN), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), inviting Prime Minister Modi to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, this October. Modi accepted the invitation.

President Putin and Prime Minister Modi also discussed the development of bilateral trade, energy, and economic cooperation. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sought economic breakthroughs by supplying oil to India at low prices amid Western sanctions blocking its energy exports. Prior to the meeting, the two leaders reportedly discussed cooperation in the nuclear power sector as well.

The joint statement adopted after the summit between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi included the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, support for UN Security Council reform and India's bid for a permanent seat, and the continuation of joint military cooperation activities between the two countries. Additionally, the statement mentioned discussions on cooperation in space, including manned space programs, fertilizer supply, the Gaza conflict, and collaboration in education, science, and culture.

This summit reaffirmed Russia's solid friendly relations with India, which also maintains close ties with the West. After the meeting, President Putin awarded Prime Minister Modi the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, Russia's highest honor, for his contributions to the development of bilateral friendship.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Russia is his first in five years since attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in 2019. In 2021, President Putin visited New Delhi, India, and met with Prime Minister Modi.

Meanwhile, the U.S. White House reiterated the strategic partnership between the United States and India in response to Narendra Modi's visit to Russia and summit meeting with President Putin on the same day.