Move from endless war towards end of war: Modi to Putin

India ready to do whatever feasible to end conflict

PM meets Iran President, calls for peace in WA

BISHKEK, Aug 31:

Calling for an immediate end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to move from "endless war towards end of war", asserting that a peaceful resolution of the conflict is humanity's shared priority.

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In a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in this capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Modi said every day of war sets the humanity back and that India, the land of Gandhi and Buddha, supports all efforts towards peace and will continue to do so.

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The two leaders also extensively deliberated on ongoing cooperation in areas of trade and investment and energy and fertiliser security among others.

"We have always discussed the Ukraine issue. When we last met, you had extensively briefed me on all aspects of it. India supports all efforts for peace and will continue to do so," Modi said in his televised opening remarks at the meeting.

"Every day spent on war pushes humanity backwards, whereas every step taken towards peace fills humanity with new hope and enthusiasm. We must move from endless war towards the end of war, which is very crucial for the well-being of humanity," the prime minister said in Hindi.

"A peaceful resolution of all issues as soon as possible is the call of humanity, and this is also India's message. The land of Gandhi and Buddha has a single message: the path of peace," he said.

Modi and Putin travelled together in the Russian President's limousine to Nomad Games. Television footage showed them jointly entering the venue for the inauguration ceremony of the games. The two leaders had travelled in the same car in the Chinese city of Tianjin during the SCO summit last year too.

The talks between the two leaders came over a week before Putin travels to India to attend the annual BRICS summit.

The prime minister also made a mention of the Russian President's visit to New Delhi last year.

"Your visit to India last year was highly successful and truly memorable. It is a matter of deep satisfaction for us that our cooperation continues to scale new heights and that we are working together for the welfare of the people of both nations," Modi said.

"Focusing on national interest as the paramount priority has been our shared approach, and this will remain our guiding principle in the future as well."

Putin, on his part, said Russia-India relations have witnessed an upswing on the basis of the special and privileged partnership.

At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said there was a discussion between the two leaders on trade with a focus on increasing Indian exports to Russia in several areas.

The foreign secretary also noted that there has been significant progress in addressing issues like non-tariff barriers and market access for Indian products in Russia since the last meeting between the two leaders.

Misri also said that Modi and Putin discussed the Ukraine issue and the prime minister emphasised the importance India attaches to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve it.

Modi emphasised on the need to "move from endless war to the end of war", he said.

The prime minister also reiterated India's readiness to do whatever is feasible and necessary at its end the conflict as it is exacting a very heavy toll on the global community at large, the foreign secretary said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi and Putin reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people ties.

The two leaders welcomed the outcome of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural matters, held on August 24 in Moscow, it said.

Modi and Putin exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in the multilateral arena, in particular in BRICS and also shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers, the MEA said.

The prime minister reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward in resolving conflicts, it said in a statement.

"The two leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties," it said.

"The prime minister stated that he looks forward to welcoming President Putin in India for the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13," it added.

Meanwhile, Narendra Modi conveyed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday that India supports all efforts toward ending the conflict in West Asia and emphasised the importance of freedom of navigation and the protection of civilians and civil infrastructure in the region.

Modi met Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the Kyrgyz capital for their first bilateral talks since the outbreak of the Iran-US conflict in February.

In the meeting, Modi also told the Iranian leader that New Delhi wants to "expand and diversify" the trade basket with Tehran in the "times to come".

"Met President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek. Reiterated our commitment to strengthening India's long standing friendship with Iran across diverse sectors," the prime minister said on social media.

"We want to expand and diversify our trade basket in the times to come. We had a discussion on the prevailing situation in the region. India will continue to support all efforts aimed at ensuring lasting peace," he said.

Pezeshkian urged Modi to use India's extensive contacts with various parties to help them move away from the path of war and bloodshed and return to the path of dialogue and agreement, according to an Iranian readout.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two leaders discussed the West Asia conflict and shared perspectives on the evolving situation.

"The prime minister expressed concern at the escalation of tensions in the region and reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy," it said.

Modi also reiterated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

The Iranian readout said President Pezeshkian expressed "appreciation" for New Delhi's support and cooperation with Iran during the recent war and emphasised the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to establish peace and security in the region.

"From the very beginning of our administration, our efforts have been focused on ensuring peace and security and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations," Pezeshkian said.

"Unfortunately, instead of making use of diplomatic mechanisms, the Americans have chosen the path of war, insecurity and imposing their will through force," he said, according to the readout.

Pezeshkian added: "Our responsibility requires us to protect our people from danger and insecurity and to create the conditions necessary for them to achieve peace, tranquility and security." (PTI)