Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, stating that India is not neutral in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict but firmly stands on the side of peace. The remarks were made during the opening of the 23rd India-Russia annual summit talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
A Firm Stance for Peace and Diplomacy
In his televised address before the crucial meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the path to resolving the conflict must be through dialogue and diplomacy. "India is on the side of peace. We always support peace. We support a peaceful solution to the conflict," Modi asserted. This declaration marks a significant articulation of India's position, moving beyond neutrality to an active advocacy for a peaceful resolution.
Responding to the Indian leader, President Putin acknowledged India's role and stated that Russia is also working towards a peaceful settlement. Putin expressed his gratitude for the attention India has been paying to the peace efforts concerning Ukraine. He highlighted the broad scope of the bilateral relationship, which extends beyond current geopolitics to include cooperation in the military sphere, space development, and artificial intelligence. "We plan to move forward in all these areas," the Russian President added.
Summit Amid Global Scrutiny and Strategic Realignments
The high-profile summit, the first since 2021, is taking place under intense scrutiny from Western nations, particularly the United States and Europe. Their focus is on India's continued engagement with Moscow despite sweeping sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The talks are centered on strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership between the two nations, even as global alliances are being reshaped.
The timing of Putin's visit is particularly notable as New Delhi is concurrently engaged in negotiations with the United States. The discussions aim to ease punitive tariffs linked to India's purchases of discounted Russian oil, tariffs originally imposed during the Trump administration. This balancing act underscores India's complex diplomatic maneuvering to protect its energy security and economic interests while maintaining its principled stand for peace.
Ceremonial Welcome and Homage to Gandhi
President Putin's two-day visit began on Thursday. On Friday morning, he was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome and a tri-service guard of honour at the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi warmly received the Russian leader at the forecourt. This formal reception followed a private dinner hosted by PM Modi for Putin on Thursday evening.
Following the ceremonial proceedings, President Putin visited Raj Ghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at the memorial dedicated to the Father of the Nation. This gesture is a customary part of state visits, symbolizing reverence for India's legacy of non-violence and peace—themes that resonated strongly in the subsequent diplomatic discussions.
The 23rd annual summit reaffirms the deep-rooted ties between India and Russia, even as New Delhi navigates a fraught international landscape. Modi's unambiguous peace statement sets the tone for India's diplomatic approach, advocating for dialogue while safeguarding its multifaceted national interests.
