Hummingbird News Desk
NEW DELHI, 1 APRIL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and called for early cessation of violence in Ukraine. He expressed India’s readiness to contribute to the peace efforts to resolve the conflict.
According to the press release from his office, PM Modi called for an end to violence as Lavrov briefed him on the situation in Ukraine, including peace negotiations.
It is for the first time that India has shown willingness to be part of any peace efforts to end the ongoing Ukraine war.
While talking to the media the visiting Russian foreign minister said, “India is an important and serious country. If India plays that role that provides resolution, India is our common partner… we are for the security guarantee of Ukraine… West has ignored its responsibility… India can support such process”.
Earlier in the day, Lavrov had said he wished to convey a “message personally” from President Vladimir Putin to PM Modi.
On Thursday evening, Lavrov arrived in New Delhi after concluding a two-day visit to China. PM Modi and the Russian Foreign Minister met for 40 minutes.
Earlier in the day, Lavrov had said he wished to convey a “message personally” from President Vladimir Putin to PM Modi.
“The President (Putin) and the Prime Minister are in regular touch with each other and I will report to the President about my negotiations. He sends by the way his best regards to Prime Minister Modi and I would appreciate an opportunity to deliver this message personally,” the Russian Foreign Minister had said in his opening remarks at a discussion with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.
Unlike many other leading powers, India has not yet criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from the votes at the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression.
However, last Thursday, India abstained on a resolution pushed by Russia on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which was seen as reflective of its neutral position on the conflict.
India has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.
Tags: #PMModi #RussianForeignMinister #PeaceEfforts #Ukraine