Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated India’s message of “peace,” emphasising that the country is “not neutral” but firmly “on the side of peace,” as he delivered his opening remarks at the bilateral summit with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi.
Welcoming Putin—whom he described as “my friend”—on what he called a “very historic” visit, PM Modi underlined that India “supports a peaceful solution” to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The two leaders met at Hyderabad House, the venue for their formal bilateral talks.
Praising President Putin’s “visionary leadership,” the Prime Minister noted that since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, the Russian leader had “like a true friend” kept him informed of all developments.
“Since the Ukraine crisis began, we have been in constant discussion. From time to time, you too, as a true friend, have kept us informed about everything. I believe that trust is a great strength, and I have discussed this matter with you many times and also presented it before the world. The welfare of nations lies in the path of peace. Together, we will lead the world towards that path. I am fully confident that with the efforts being made in recent days, the world will once again return to the direction of peace,” Prime Minister Modi said.
Reiterating India’s stance, he added, “In recent days, whenever I have spoken with leaders of the global community and discussed this issue in detail, I have always said that India is not neutral. India has a clear position, and that position is for peace. We support every effort toward peace.”
“India is on the side of peace and the world should return to peace. Russia is working on a peaceful settlement with Ukraine. The world will only benefit if we travel on the path of peace,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the summit, the Prime Minister noted, “Our Summit is moving forward today with several outcomes. Excellency, your visit is very historic. This year marks 25 years to your first visit to India. The foundation for a strategic partnership between our two countries was laid during your first visit. I am delighted that our relationship also marks 25 years.”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued attention to the Ukraine conflict, stating that Moscow is working with the United States on exploring avenues for a possible peaceful settlement as peace talks continue.
Currently, Washington is acting as a mediator to broker a peace deal with Moscow and Kyiv for the four-year-long running war.
Speaking during his bilateral engagement with PM Modi as part of his ongoing two-day state visit to the country, the Russian President also emphasised the depth and longevity of India-Russia ties, noting that the partnership is built on substance rather than rhetoric.
“I could share a great deal of details of events that are taking place in Ukraine, and the actions we are taking are in partnership with the US on a possible peaceful settlement. Thank you for your attention and action in finding a solution for the situation,” the President of the Russian Federation said.
“Our relations are deeply rooted in history – but it’s not words that matter; it’s the substance, which is profound,” he added.
Putin also appreciated PM Modi’s personal involvement in advancing bilateral cooperation, highlighting the level of trust between the two nations.”I really appreciate that, and the fact that you, Prime Minister, are personally paying special attention to that,” Putin said.
“We plan to move forward in a range of areas, which underscores the level of trust in our relationship,” he added.
The Russian President also outlined several sectors where India and Russia will deepen cooperation, identifying artificial intelligence, aircraft development, high technology, military-technical collaboration, and space exploration as key domains for future joint efforts.
Putin’s remarks come as he meets PM Modi during his first visit to India in four years, with both leaders participating in the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, aimed at reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral ties and charting the roadmap ahead.
Earlier, the Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors’ book at the Rajghat.
The Russian President was accompanied by the Minister of State for the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, to the memorial site.Prior to his arrival at the Rajghat, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour as the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian as well as the Russian national anthem.
Since their last meeting here in December 2021, Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to greet him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug.
Both leaders also shared the same car ride to the Lok Kalyan Marg residence of Prime Minister Modi, where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita.
According to TASS, the Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said that the one-on-one meeting between President Putin and PM Modi on Thursday went on for over two and a half hours.