Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, emphasised that there is consensus on the need for a ceasefire and restoration of peace and stability in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday (local time).
During a special briefing by the Foreign Secretary on the Prime Minister’s visit to the US, Mr Misri said Zelenskyy appreciated India’s attention to these issues as well as “the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Ukraine to work towards establishing peace and finding a way out of this conflict.”
Mr Misri said, “This is probably the third meeting between the two leaders in a span of three months…They discussed all issues, bilateral issues as well as issues related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. President Zelenskyy very much appreciated India’s attention to these issues and said that the Prime Minister’s visit is very much appreciated and he thanked the Prime Minister for his efforts to find peace and a way out of this conflict.”
“Both sides appreciated that there is positive momentum in bilateral relations on a number of issues and agreed to remain in close contact either directly or through exchange of visits at various other levels,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, where the two leaders showed their commitment to implement the outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Ukraine last month. This was the third time the two leaders met in the last three months.
The Foreign Secretary also informed during the briefing that a request for a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Zelenskyy was made by the Ukrainian side.
When asked whether the issue of India purchasing Russian oil was discussed, Mr Misri said the issue was not discussed.
Prime Minister Modi said that he has always talked about moving forward on the path of peace by proposing peace. The Prime Minister said that he has spoken to the leaders of various countries and everyone is of the opinion that there should be a ceasefire in some way or the other and efforts are underway in this regard.
Mr Misri said the Prime Minister has been in touch with Russian President Putin and US President Biden since his visit to Ukraine. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also visited Russia recently.
“In a way, the Prime Minister also had the opportunity in the meeting with President Zelensky to say that he has always talked about moving forward on the path of peace by proposing peace, so it is clear that if there is no peace then in a way there cannot be sustainable development. Whether the war will end or not, only time will tell, but everyone’s efforts are focused on finding an end to the war in one way or another,” Mr. Misri said.
He said, “In a conversation with President Zelensky, the Prime Minister also told him that he has spoken to the leaders of various countries and this subject is being discussed and everyone is of the opinion that somehow we will have to find a way to ceasefire and our efforts are continuing in this regard.”
Emphasizing on achieving peace in conflict, Vikram Misri quoted Mahatma Gandhi saying, “There is no way to peace; peace is the way.”
Mr Misri said that during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Zelensky, both sides appreciated the positive momentum on many issues relating to bilateral relations between the two countries and also agreed to remain in close contact.
“Both sides appreciated that there is positive momentum in bilateral relations on a number of issues and agreed to remain in close contact either directly or through exchange of visits at various other levels,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for early resolution of the conflict and restoration of peace and stability in Ukraine.
“Met President Zelenskyy in New York. We are committed to implementing the outcomes of my visit to Ukraine last month to strengthen bilateral ties. Reiterated India’s support for an early resolution of the conflict and restoration of peace and stability in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on Twitter.
The Ukrainian President also said that New Delhi and Kyiv are actively developing their relations and working together to strengthen cooperation in various fields.
“This is the third bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi this year. We are actively developing our relations and working together to strengthen cooperation in various fields,” Zelensky said.
“The main focus of our talks was on enhancing our dialogue in international forums, especially the United Nations and the G-20, as well as on implementing the peace formula and preparing for the second peace summit. We had a substantive discussion on the opportunities available. I am grateful for the clear support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi visited Russia in July and Ukraine in August this year.
In particular, India emphasized the need for sincere and pragmatic engagement among all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that would have wide acceptance and contribute to an early peace restoration in the Ukraine conflict that began in February 2022.
India has also expressed its willingness to contribute in every possible way for the early return of peace.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
