PM Modi tells Putin "This era is not of war"; makes global headlines, wins praises from US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made international headlines with his statement on the Russia-Ukraine war during a bilateral talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of SCO Summit. These remarks are being appreciated by countries like the US.

 

 

Earlier on Friday PM Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that "today's era is not an era of war" in a televised meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of SCO summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. "We have spoken about this issue with you many times on the phone also," PM Modi continued, stressing the importance of "democracy, diplomacy and dialogue." He pointed to aid issues of food security, fuel security and fertilizers as the biggest concern today for the world, especially for developing countries.

 

 

In response, Putin said that he fully "understands the concerns" raised by him while also noting that "Ukraine wants war" and has refused to be part of negotiations to end several months of military conflict between the two nations. He was “aware of India's concerns over the Ukraine conflict” and that “Russia will do everything possible to end it as soon as possible.”

 

"I know about your position on the conflict in Ukraine. I know about your concerns. I know that you share these concerns and we all want an end to all of these as soon as possible," Putin said in his televised opening remarks at the meeting.

 

 

The Russian President said Ukraine has refused to engage in the negotiation process and it wants to achieve its "objectives on the battlefield militarily." "We will keep you abreast of everything that is happening over there," Putin conveyed to PM Modi.

 

As it was unfolded, US got a chance to create rift between both the countries. The White House on Friday said Putin is isolating himself from the international community soon after PM Modi's era is not of war comment. On being asked to comment, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, said, "I think what you heard in Uzbekistan by both the leaders of China and in India are indicative of the fact that Putin doesn't have a whole lot of sympathetic ears out there to what he's been doing in Ukraine."

 

"He (Putin) is only further isolating himself from the international community. We don't believe that now's the time to be doing any business as usual with Russia with respect to what they're doing in Ukraine,” Kirby said.

 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said what both India and China conveyed is reflective of the concerns around the world. "What you're hearing from China, from India, is reflective of concerns around the world about the effects of Russia's aggression on Ukraine – not just on the people of Ukraine, devastating as that's been, but on countries and people across the entire planet,” Blinken said.