Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for an end to the war in Ukraine during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Chinese city of Tianjin.
According to the Indian Foreign Ministry, Modi “reiterated his support for the recent initiatives that have been taken to address the conflict in Ukraine.”
The leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
The ministry added that Modi “emphasised the need to expedite a cessation of the conflict, and find a durable peace settlement.”
Since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, New Delhi has sought to remain neutral in the conflict. While supporting peace efforts, India has also warned Moscow against the use of nuclear weapons.
India has become the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after European countries cut imports in response to the war.
Seeking to pressure Moscow, U.S. President Donald Trump recently imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian imports over its trade ties with Russia. The move has yet to strain relations, with Modi describing his encounter with Putin in Tianjin as an “excellent meeting” on X.
Russian media reported the two leaders spoke for about 50 minutes in Putin’s presidential limousine before their official bilateral session.
Discussions focused on “ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in all sectors, including trade, fertilisers, space, security and culture,” Modi said on X.
(NAN)