Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and shared "insights" from his recent visit to Ukraine. During the telephone talks, Modi reiterated India's firm commitment to supporting an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
A day earlier on Monday, Modi had briefed US President Joe Biden on his visit to Ukraine and conveyed India's full support for the early return of peace to the region through dialogue and diplomacy.
As regards talks with President Putin, Modi said in a social media post, "Exchanged perspectives on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and my insights from the recent visit to Ukraine. Reiterated India's firm support to an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict."
The Prime Minister also said he and President Putin also discussed measures to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
A statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) here said Modi had on Tuesday a telephone conversation with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
The Prime Minister recalled his successful visit to Russia last month to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit.
The two leaders reviewed progress on a number of bilateral issues and discussed measures to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.
They also exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as Modi shared with Putin insights from his recent visit to Ukraine.
He underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as well as sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to achieve an abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
Modi's talks with Putin took place days after he met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
During his meeting with the Ukrainian President, Prime Minister Modi had said India is "not neutral as it is always on the side of peace".
"We (India) are not neutral. From the very beginning, we have taken sides. And we have chosen the side of peace. We have come from the land of Buddha where there is no place for war," Prime Minister Modi said.
"I want to assure you and the entire global community that India is committed to respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity (of States) and it is of utmost importance to us," he added.
During his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi had also said he hoped to see the "rising sun of peace". "I want to assure you that India is ready to play an active role in any effort towards peace. If I can play any role in this personally, I will do that. I want to assure you as a friend," he had said to Zelenskyy.
On August 23, Modi paid a nearly nine-hour visit to Kyiv, the first-ever trip to Ukraine by an Indian Prime Minister since it became independent over three decades ago, and held wide-ranging talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He also invited Zelenskyy to visit India and the Ukrainian leader said he would be happy to travel to the "great" country.
Last month, Prime Minister Modi had visited Moscow and met President Putin. Reiterating India's stand on the Ukraine conflict, he had urged the Russian President to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy asserting that "no solution can be found on the battlefield".
The Russia-Ukraine war is in its second year and shows no sign of ending anytime soon. On Monday, Russia carried out drone and missile attacks across Ukraine.
