PM Modi’s tightrope: Killing of children very painful; listening to Putin, I have hope

At the same time, Modi underlined that both had a “frank” exchange on Ukraine and he had sensed a “new way” of thinking. “You spoke so openly yesterday, and there was no hesitation, and there were many interesting ideas and I can tell the international community that India is on the side of peace and was ready to contribute in ending the conflict in Ukraine. And I can say that after listening to President Putin, I have hope,” Modi said.

The PM didn’t elaborate on the “new way” or the “interesting” ideas but his sharply worded public remarks prefaced the official bilateral meeting with Putin a day after they had met over a private dinner at Putin’s dacha in the Moscow suburbs of Novo-Ogaryovo.

Ukraine says it has recovered fragments of a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile at the children’s hospital, which was hit on Monday during a wave of Russian attacks that killed at least 41 Ukrainians across the country. Russia claimed that it was a Ukrainian anti-missile system that struck the hospital.

Modi’s new and sharp formulation goes beyond what he had told him at their last in-person bilateral meeting about two years ago. In Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in September 2022, Modi had told Putin that “this is not the era of war” — a line that was later used in the G20’s Bali declaration that November, and by Western leaders and interlocutors to press Russia to end the war.

The Prime Minister framed Tuesday’s comments in the context of war, conflict and terrorism that has been happening in the last few years.

“Let’s take war, any conflict or terrorist acts: any person who believes in humanity feels pain when people die, and especially when innocent children die. When we feel such pain, the heart simply explodes, and I had the opportunity to talk about these issues with you yesterday,” Modi said.

“I know that a solution is not possible to come out from the battlefield…for a bright future for the new generation, peace is most essential…Peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns and bullets,” he said. “At our meeting yesterday, we listened to each other’s views on Ukraine and I also placed before you the Global South’s expectation on peace and stability.”

This visit coincides with the 75th anniversary summit of the NATO alliance being held in Washington DC from July 9-11, which is expected to be attended by US President Joe Biden and other world leaders.

Putin, in his statement, told Modi, “I appreciate the attention you pay to the most pressing issues, including your efforts to find ways to resolve the Ukraine crisis, primarily through peaceful means.”

Later, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said Modi was “very clear and categorical” in expressing his “concern and regret” at the loss of innocent lives, especially at the children’s hospital yesterday. “With regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, yes, this featured in discussions between the two leaders, both at the private discussions at dinner yesterday and in talks today,” he said.

A joint statement said the two sides highlighted the imperative of a peaceful resolution of the conflict around Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy including engagement between both parties.

“They noted with appreciation relevant proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law and on the basis of the UN Charter in its entirety and totality,” it said. There was no mention of any “respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty”.

Stating that Russia-India relations at present constitute a special and privileged strategic partnership, Putin said that Russia and India cooperate closely in the international arena, including within international institutions, primarily the UN and organizations like the SCO and BRICS.

“Last year, trade between Russia and India grew by 66%, and added another 20% in the first quarter of 2024,” he said.

Earlier, Modi described India’s experience of the last 50 years of suffering terrorism and how terrorism is “dangerous” and “disgusting”. He also expressed his concern at the terror attacks which took place in Moscow, in Dagestan, and said that he could imagine how “deep” the wound can be.

Modi also raised the issue of Indian nationals working in the Russian military and their early release, to which the Russian side promised “early discharge of all Indian nationals from the service of the Russian Army”.

Kwatra put the number of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military to be roughly between 35 to 50 out of whom 10 are back.

Modi highlighted Russia’s help to India in the energy sector. “When the world was facing shortage of food, fuel and fertilisers, we did not allow our farmers to face any problem and our friendship with Russia played a role in that,” Modi said.

The Ukraine war has put India in a delicate diplomatic position with its Western allies. New Delhi has walked the tightrope, not explicitly condemning the Russian invasion but calling for an international probe into the Bucha massacre in the early weeks of the war, and expressing concern over threats of nuclear war issued by Russian leaders.

India abstained from voting against Russia in several resolutions at the United Nations Security Council.

Modi was officially conferred Russia’s most prestigious civilian honour, the Order of St Andrew the Apostle, by the Russian President. He tweeted that he was dedicating it to the people of India.

After the bilateral talks, Modi said, “Held productive discussions with President Putin at the Kremlin today. Our talks covered ways to diversify India-Russia cooperation in sectors such as trade, commerce, security, agriculture, technology and innovation. We attach great importance to boosting connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.”

The leaders’ Joint Statement on the development of strategic areas of Russia-India economic cooperation set a new bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030.

Kwatra said that the economic engagement agenda dominated the conversations as both sides signed pacts in areas of climate change, cartography, polar research, broadcasting, health, arbitration and investments.

This is the inaugural bilateral visit of his third term and his first to Russia since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Modi last went to Russia for the Eastern Economic Forum meeting in Vladivostok in September 2019; Putin last visited India in December 2021 for the annual bilateral summit.

Modi wrapped up his visit in Moscow on Tuesday evening and left for Austria, the first visit by the Indian Prime Minister to that country after 41 years.