Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying to help find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis.
"I thank him for the attention he pays to the most pressing issues, in particular the attempt to find ways to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, mainly by peaceful means," Putin was quoted as saying by the official TASS news agency.
Putin made the statement during his talks with Modi here in the Kremlin, he said.
In his televised opening remarks, Modi conveyed to Putin and assured the world community that India was on the side of peace and was ready to contribute to ending the conflict in Ukraine.
"For a bright future for the new generation, peace is essential... Peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets," he said.
The prime minister also referred to his informal meeting with Putin on Monday, saying that listening to the Russian president gave him "hope."
"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.
Putin noted that Russia and India cooperate closely on the international stage.
"We cooperate closely on the international stage, specifically within international organizations," Putin was quoted as saying by state news agency TASS.
He said cooperation was underway "mainly within the UN and groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS."
"Yesterday we had the opportunity to communicate in an informal atmosphere and talk about almost all topics," Putin said.
On Monday, the two leaders spent several hours together at Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that he doubts NATO countries will consider Prime Minister Modi's peace initiatives.
"There is a NATO summit taking place these days. All the rhetoric leading up to it indicates that they are unlikely to be listened to, but we will continue to observe which approaches will predominate there," he told the Telegram Shot channel.
But Peskov also said that “more and more statesmen really talk about dialogue.”
"You can disagree about some things. You can disagree about many things. But if there is dialogue, there is an opportunity to find solutions," Peskov said.
Putin also said that he believes that Moscow and New Delhi have a privileged strategic partnership.
"Our countries have enjoyed decades of good friendship," he said. “Today our relations have the character of a privileged strategic partnership,” he added.
The Russian leader expressed satisfaction with the growing trade between the two countries, which he said saw a 66 percent increase last year "and increased by another 20 percent in the first quarter of this year."
Putin once again congratulated Modi on his re-election as Indian Prime Minister. He also noted that Modi had arrived in Russia for his first official foreign visit after being sworn in for another term at the head of the government following last month's Indian general election.
Putin also invited Modi to the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan in October. "We will be glad to see you at the BRICS summit in Kazan this fall," the Russian leader said, addressing Modi.
Russia holds the BRICS presidency this year. BRICS is an intergovernmental organization made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates have joined BRICS as new members.
"I thank him for the attention he pays to the most pressing issues, in particular the attempt to find ways to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, mainly by peaceful means," Putin was quoted as saying by the official TASS news agency.
Putin made the statement during his talks with Modi here in the Kremlin, he said.
In his televised opening remarks, Modi conveyed to Putin and assured the world community that India was on the side of peace and was ready to contribute to ending the conflict in Ukraine.
"For a bright future for the new generation, peace is essential... Peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets," he said.
The prime minister also referred to his informal meeting with Putin on Monday, saying that listening to the Russian president gave him "hope."
"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.
Putin noted that Russia and India cooperate closely on the international stage.
"We cooperate closely on the international stage, specifically within international organizations," Putin was quoted as saying by state news agency TASS.
He said cooperation was underway "mainly within the UN and groups such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS."
"Yesterday we had the opportunity to communicate in an informal atmosphere and talk about almost all topics," Putin said.
On Monday, the two leaders spent several hours together at Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that he doubts NATO countries will consider Prime Minister Modi's peace initiatives.
"There is a NATO summit taking place these days. All the rhetoric leading up to it indicates that they are unlikely to be listened to, but we will continue to observe which approaches will predominate there," he told the Telegram Shot channel.
But Peskov also said that “more and more statesmen really talk about dialogue.”
"You can disagree about some things. You can disagree about many things. But if there is dialogue, there is an opportunity to find solutions," Peskov said.
Putin also said that he believes that Moscow and New Delhi have a privileged strategic partnership.
"Our countries have enjoyed decades of good friendship," he said. “Today our relations have the character of a privileged strategic partnership,” he added.
The Russian leader expressed satisfaction with the growing trade between the two countries, which he said saw a 66 percent increase last year "and increased by another 20 percent in the first quarter of this year."
Putin once again congratulated Modi on his re-election as Indian Prime Minister. He also noted that Modi had arrived in Russia for his first official foreign visit after being sworn in for another term at the head of the government following last month's Indian general election.
Putin also invited Modi to the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan in October. "We will be glad to see you at the BRICS summit in Kazan this fall," the Russian leader said, addressing Modi.
Russia holds the BRICS presidency this year. BRICS is an intergovernmental organization made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates have joined BRICS as new members.
