'Solution not on battlefield, dialogue and diplomacy the way forward', PM Modi expected to convey to Russia

Ajay Banerjee

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New Delhi, July 9

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Valdimir Putin will meet twice on Tuesday, and India is expected to convey ‘there was no solution on the battlefield’ and ‘dialogue and diplomacy’ is the way forward on ending the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Modi will meet Putin for one hour for a ‘one-to-one’ meeting that starts at 2:30 pm Indian time. This will be followed by 90 minutes of delegation level talks scheduled to commence at 3:30 pm Indian time.

On Monday, Modi-Putin met over dinner at the residence of the latter at Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow.

Sources said at the meeting with Putin, Modi was expected to refer to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and convey “There is no solution on the battlefield. Dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward”.

This message is consistent with New Delhi line that talks were only solution out of the war being fought on the Russia-Ukraine border. The sources added that India has always called for respecting the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty. There is no solution on the battlefield.

The focus of the Modi’s visit is the economic agenda — energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilizers.

Meanwhile a statement from Kremlin described the dinner meet on Monday saying an ‘informal meeting’ took place.

“The talks (between Putin and Modi) will discuss prospects for the further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations, as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda”, the Kremlin added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Moscow on Monday evening for bilateral talks with Putin. Before departing from India, Modi said he looked forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation and sharing of perspectives on various regional and global issues.

A statement quoted Modi saying “We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region”. Modi said, “I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin”.

Modi was received at Moscow by Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation at the Vnukovo-II airport and was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

Manturov also received Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia. In a rare gesture, Manturov also accompanied the PM to the hotel from the airport in the same car.

During his visit, Modi will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with President Putin. The ‘special and privileged strategic partnership’ between India and Russia has advanced over the past ten years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

After the meeting with Putin, Modi will go to Austria and will meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Austria.

This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 40 years to Austria. “I look forward to my discussions to take our partnership to even greater heights in new and emerging areas of innovation, technology and sustainable development among others. Together with the Austrian Chancellor”, Modi said.