Moscow, In an unequivocal message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and that peace talks are not successful amid bombs, weapons and bullets.
In his televised opening remarks at summit talks with Putin in the Kremlin, Modi, in apparent reference to the bombing of a children's hospital in Ukraine, said the death of innocent children is heartbreaking and very painful.
The Indian Prime Minister assured the world community that India is on the side of peace and the conflict must be resolved through talks.
"For a bright future of the new generation, peace is most essential. A solution is not possible on the battlefield... Peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets," he said.
"To restore peace, India is ready to cooperate in all possible ways," Modi said.
The 22nd annual India-Russia summit took place a day after Modi arrived in Moscow on a two-day visit that has been closely watched by the West in view of the Ukraine conflict.
"We urge India, as we do with any country when dealing with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine must be one that respects the UN charter, that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty of Ukraine. "said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in Washington ahead of the talks between Modi and Putin.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister made a veiled reference to Monday's bombing of a children's hospital in Ukraine.
"Everyone who believes in humanity feels pained if lives are lost. That too, if innocent children are killed; if innocent children die, it is heartbreaking and very painful," Modi said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy objected to the Indian leader embracing Putin.
"A Russian missile hit Ukraine's largest children's hospital, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble," Zelenskyy said on 'X'.
"It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy embrace the world's bloodiest criminal in Moscow on a day like this," he said.
In his remarks, Modi also referred to his informal meeting with Putin on Monday night and said that listening to the Russian president gave him "hope."
In our meeting yesterday we heard each other's views on Ukraine and I also told them the expectations of the Global South on peace and stability, Modi said.
The prime minister appreciated the cooperation between India and Russia in averting shortages of food, fuel and fertilizers for Indians in recent years.
When the world was facing shortage of food, fuel and fertilizers, we did not allow our farmers to face any problem and our friendship with Russia played a role in it, Modi said.
Thanks to their cooperation we will be able to insulate the common citizens of India from difficulties in terms of availability of petrol and diesel, he said, adding that India wants its cooperation with Russia to expand further.
The prime minister also expressed concern over the challenges of terrorism.
India has been facing the challenge of terrorism for about 40 years; I condemn all forms of terrorism, Modi said.
After the summit, Modi called his talks with Putin "productive."
"We held productive talks with President Putin today at the Kremlin. Our talks covered ways to diversify cooperation between India and Russia in sectors such as trade, security, agriculture, technology and innovation," he said.
"We attach great importance to promoting connectivity and people-to-people exchanges," he added.
In his televised opening remarks at summit talks with Putin in the Kremlin, Modi, in apparent reference to the bombing of a children's hospital in Ukraine, said the death of innocent children is heartbreaking and very painful.
The Indian Prime Minister assured the world community that India is on the side of peace and the conflict must be resolved through talks.
"For a bright future of the new generation, peace is most essential. A solution is not possible on the battlefield... Peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets," he said.
"To restore peace, India is ready to cooperate in all possible ways," Modi said.
The 22nd annual India-Russia summit took place a day after Modi arrived in Moscow on a two-day visit that has been closely watched by the West in view of the Ukraine conflict.
"We urge India, as we do with any country when dealing with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine must be one that respects the UN charter, that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty of Ukraine. "said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in Washington ahead of the talks between Modi and Putin.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister made a veiled reference to Monday's bombing of a children's hospital in Ukraine.
"Everyone who believes in humanity feels pained if lives are lost. That too, if innocent children are killed; if innocent children die, it is heartbreaking and very painful," Modi said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy objected to the Indian leader embracing Putin.
"A Russian missile hit Ukraine's largest children's hospital, targeting young cancer patients. Many were buried under the rubble," Zelenskyy said on 'X'.
"It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy embrace the world's bloodiest criminal in Moscow on a day like this," he said.
In his remarks, Modi also referred to his informal meeting with Putin on Monday night and said that listening to the Russian president gave him "hope."
In our meeting yesterday we heard each other's views on Ukraine and I also told them the expectations of the Global South on peace and stability, Modi said.
The prime minister appreciated the cooperation between India and Russia in averting shortages of food, fuel and fertilizers for Indians in recent years.
When the world was facing shortage of food, fuel and fertilizers, we did not allow our farmers to face any problem and our friendship with Russia played a role in it, Modi said.
Thanks to their cooperation we will be able to insulate the common citizens of India from difficulties in terms of availability of petrol and diesel, he said, adding that India wants its cooperation with Russia to expand further.
The prime minister also expressed concern over the challenges of terrorism.
India has been facing the challenge of terrorism for about 40 years; I condemn all forms of terrorism, Modi said.
After the summit, Modi called his talks with Putin "productive."
"We held productive talks with President Putin today at the Kremlin. Our talks covered ways to diversify cooperation between India and Russia in sectors such as trade, security, agriculture, technology and innovation," he said.
"We attach great importance to promoting connectivity and people-to-people exchanges," he added.
