New Delhi, Delhi
During the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, India and China reportedly expressed their willingness to play a role in efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help facilitate a solution to the conflict. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the initiative from both leaders.
Highlights
- PM Modi and Xi Jinping offered to help find a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Putin welcomed the mediation proposal from the two leaders.
- Modi and Putin discussed economic and strategic cooperation.
- India reiterated its preference for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
Modi and Xi Show Interest in a Peaceful Resolution
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Prime Minister Modi and Xi Jinping expressed significant interest in resolving the Ukraine crisis during their respective bilateral meetings. Both leaders also offered to help facilitate efforts to find a solution.
Russia viewed the proposal as a positive signal. However, no detailed information was immediately available about the format such mediation could take or what steps might follow.
Key Meeting Between PM Modi and Putin
During the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders discussed ways to expand economic cooperation and strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
Particular attention was given to the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Programme 2030. They also discussed expanding cooperation in areas including infrastructure, energy, technology, defence, and culture.
Second Meeting Within Two Weeks
The meeting between PM Modi and President Putin was particularly significant because it was their second face-to-face meeting in less than two weeks. Their previous meeting took place on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.
Speaking about the meeting on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said he was pleased to meet President Putin in Delhi. He said the discussions focused on further strengthening trade relations and implementing the Economic Cooperation Programme 2030.
West Asia and Black Sea Region Also Discussed
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders exchanged views on several important regional and global issues, including ongoing conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region. These conflicts are also affecting maritime trade and the safety of Indian seafarers.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi once again reiterated India’s position that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward for resolving conflicts. He also reaffirmed that India is ready to contribute to efforts aimed at establishing peace.
India has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the means to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Against this backdrop, the reported offer of mediation at the BRICS Summit has renewed discussion about India’s active diplomatic role in efforts to address the crisis.
