Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making significant efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. His initiatives might bring about the possibility of getting the opposing leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, back to the negotiating table. Face-to-face talks between these leaders are crucial for peace. Following a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden, PM Modi spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. These calls followed his recent visit to Ukraine.
Several countries, including Ukraine, believe that India could play a mediating role between Moscow and Kyiv and host a peace summit. This sentiment was directly expressed by Ukrainian President Zelensky, who suggested that India could lay the groundwork for a peace summit. Swiss Ambassador Ralph Hecker lauded India's 'bold diplomacy' aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky stated on August 23, 'I truly believe that there should be another peace summit with Russia. It would be beneficial if a country from the Global South hosted it.'
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A day after hosting the Indian Prime Minister in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelensky said, 'I suggested to Prime Minister Modi that we could organize a global peace summit in India. It is a great country, the world's largest and greatest democracy.' India has emerged as the undisputed leader in the Global South (South Asia). PM Modi's recent visit to Ukraine and subsequent phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden have raised hopes that he might successfully mediate talks between the leaders of the warring nations (Russia and Ukraine).
Face-to-face talks between Putin and Zelensky are deemed critical to ending the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, now entering its third year. To recap, Russia launched its special military operation against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, which has now escalated into a full-blown war. During his meeting with Zelensky, PM Modi reiterated India's commitment to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. He emphasized that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. PM Modi clarified that India is not neutral but staunchly supports peace.
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Six weeks after his visit to Russia and meeting with President Putin, PM Modi traveled to Ukraine. Following his Ukraine visit last week, PM Modi spoke with US President Joe Biden on August 26, exchanging views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. Around 17 hours later, on August 27, PM Modi announced that he had a phone conversation with Russian President Putin. The leaders discussed measures to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Russia, touching upon the Russia-Ukraine war. In a post on X, PM Modi reiterated India's firm commitment to supporting an early, lasting, and peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Global Concerns Over the War's Impact
India's diplomatic push to establish peace comes at a critical juncture, with the Russia-Ukraine war entering its third year and showing no signs of abating. The war has inflicted human suffering and economic damage, and the international community is worried about its global ramifications. PM Modi's efforts to bring the conflicting leaders to the negotiating table are seen as a pivotal step towards a peaceful resolution. Under his leadership, India's recent diplomatic intervention has sparked speculation about India's potential role in peacefully resolving the ongoing war in Europe.
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Swiss Ambassador Ralph Hecker recently stated in an interview with a newspaper, 'India is continually advancing and utilizing its influence... Following the elections, PM Modi visited Italy and Russia, afterward headed to Poland, and then to Ukraine. It's encouraging to see India's government now focusing on diplomacy. It's gratifying to witness PM Modi making courageous decisions and progressing in this direction. This will be beneficial for Ukraine and its citizens. It will be advantageous for Russia and its populace. It will benefit Europe. It will be good for America. It will be beneficial for the Global South. Therefore, if we achieve a peaceful, negotiated resolution to this conflict, the results will be positive, and India deserves applause for this.'
