Moscow: India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held a key meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Moscow, aiming to address Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This crucial discussion took place on the sidelines of a BRICS national security advisors’ conclave at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St Petersburg, highlighting the importance of continued diplomatic engagements between India and Russia.
During their interaction, Putin proposed a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22 in Kazan. The proposed meeting, scheduled to coincide with the upcoming BRICS summit, will focus on evaluating the outcomes of earlier agreements reached during Modi’s Moscow visit and exploring future collaboration. Putin reportedly conveyed his personal regard for Modi, stating, “We are waiting for our good friend Modi and best regards to him,” as reported by Russian media outlets.
NSA Doval, in response, passed on PM Modi’s words of appreciation to Putin and confirmed the Prime Minister’s willingness to discuss the outcomes of his recent visit to Ukraine, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Russia.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Doval also engaged in extensive discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu. These talks addressed several topics of mutual interest and furthered cooperation between the two nations. As noted by the Indian Embassy in Russia, “It is understood that Modi’s talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 23 figured in the discussions between the two NSAs. Both sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed key issues.”
Modi’s Recent Visit to Ukraine
NSA Doval’s visit to Russia followed Prime Minister Modi’s historic trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, two and a half weeks ago. During the visit, Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where the ongoing war with Russia was a central topic. Modi reiterated India’s longstanding stance on peace and urged both parties to initiate immediate negotiations to resolve the conflict. He also expressed India’s willingness to play an active role in achieving peace in the region.
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PM Modi emphasized India’s consistent position on peace and offered his personal involvement in facilitating a peaceful resolution. His nine-hour trip to Kyiv marked the first official visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since its independence in 1991, underlining India’s commitment to engaging with both sides of the conflict. The visit came just six weeks after Modi’s summit meeting with Putin in Moscow, further demonstrating India’s diplomatic efforts to balance relations between Russia and Ukraine.
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International Perspectives
In a related development, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Zelenskyy on Saturday, where she acknowledged India’s and China’s potential to mediate in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Meloni’s comments underscored the increasing international expectation that global powers like India can contribute significantly to peace efforts.
