With the war in Ukraine grinding on, amid efforts by the US and its European allies to bring it to an end, and all eyes on his meetings with the visiting Russian President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Vladimir Putin Friday that “India is not neutral, India is on the side of peace” and “we support all efforts towards peace”.
Putin, on his part, did not give away much about their discussion on the war. He said he had the opportunity to speak in “detail on the situation in Ukraine” and on the talks initiated by the US towards a “possible peaceful settlement of this crisis”.
While discussing “key global and regional problems”, Putin said, “We confirmed the convergence of our positions. Both Russia and India conduct an independent and sovereign foreign policy” and promote a “just, democratic and multipolar world order.”
What did not go unnoticed was that the two leaders did not mention the word “war” or “conflict”, and referred to the Ukraine situation as a “crisis”.
This was different from what Modi told Putin in September 2022, months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that “this is not the era of war”. And in July 2024, when they met in Moscow, Modi told Putin that “solutions can’t be found on the battlefield”. Of late, European capitals have been urging Delhi to lean on Putin to end the war.
At the start of their meeting in Hyderabad House for bilateral talks, Modi said, “After the Ukraine crisis, we have been in touch… You have also been making us aware of the developments as a true friend. This trust is a big strength, and we have discussed this issue many times. The welfare of the world is through peace. We should all work together towards peace. And with the efforts that are going on recently, I believe, the world will once again return toward the direction of peace.”
“In the last few days, whenever I have spoken to world leaders, I have always told them that India is not neutral, India is on the side of peace, we support all efforts towards peace. And we stand shoulder to shoulder in these peace efforts,” he said, with Putin by his side.
The two leaders also discussed the issue of Ukraine during a private dinner at the PM’s Lok Kalyan Marg residence Thursday night and Modi gifted Putin a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian.
Referring to the dinner conversation, Putin said, “Thank you very much for the very warm evening we had yesterday – friendly, substantive and extremely useful conversation. We had the opportunity to discuss, I had the opportunity to speak in detail on the situation in Ukraine and on the steps we are taking together with several other partners, including the US, regarding a possible peaceful settlement of this crisis.”
“Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your efforts aimed at resolving the situation,” the Russian President said, using a phrase that US President Donald Trump often posts on Truth Social.
After their bilateral meeting, Modi said, “Today we also discussed regional and global issues. India has always advocated for peace regarding Ukraine. We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this issue. India has always been ready to contribute and will continue to do so.”
On India’s oil imports from Russia that have been hit by the Trump administration’s 25 per cent penalty tariffs, the two leaders framed it as an “energy security” issue.
Modi said, “Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising our shared priorities of clean energy. We will continue this win-win cooperation.”
He did not commit to any reduction of oil imports – since the cost advantage has evaporated due to high tariffs and sanctions, Indian companies have reduced their oil purchases from Russia.
Putin linked energy supply to India’s economic growth and said, “Our partnership in the energy sector is developing successfully. Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything necessary for the development of India’s energy sector. We are ready to continue ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies for India’s fast-growing economy.”
Asked about the discussions on oil imports, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “Obviously, there was a discussion on what has been happening with regard to energy cooperation between the two countries. The Russian side put forth its position on the measures that have been taken by a number of countries. You didn’t have to be inside the room to guess what that position is. It’s fairly obvious.”
“But insofar as the discussions related to energy are concerned… on energy security, we have been fairly clear in terms of communicating that as a significant importer of energy, our priority is to ensure that 1.4 billion people in India have their energy needs secured, and our energy sourcing policies are guided entirely by this imperative – ensuring stable energy prices and secure supplies are the twin goals of our sourcing policy. And part of this, therefore, goes into the area of diversifying energy supplies.”
“And our partners, traditional as well as new, understand this and appreciate this. They also appreciate that Indian companies will take and, I point to the fact, that this is something that covers both private companies as well as public companies, because in both cases, these are publicly listed companies, they have fiduciary responsibilities, and therefore, these companies make decisions on the basis of evolving market dynamics, on the basis of the commercial issues that they confront while sourcing their supplies. Within the four corners of this approach, we are continuing our cooperation between the two countries,” Misri said.
Modi praised Putin for his role in establishing the strategic partnership with India, way back in 2000 when he met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Describing the visit as “very historic”, Modi said, “When you took over in 2000, your first visit took place to India, and it has been 25 years since. And in your first visit itself, the foundation for a strategic partnership was laid.”
He then recalled his own visit to Russia as part of the Indian delegation with Vajpayee in 2001. “And for me, it is a matter of happiness that my relations with you have also been 25 years long”.
“In 2000, the foundation that you laid, as a visionary leader, how one thinks and how one begins and where the ties lead to, is an excellent example of India-Russia bilateral ties,” he said.
Framing the current geopolitical situation in the larger context of uncertainties – without referring to the disruptive Trump tariffs – Modi said, “The world has gone through several crises including Covid. We hope the world will be free from the worries and will move towards the right direction.”
He said “India-Russia economic ties will be strengthened”, and will “scale new heights”.
Echoing Modi, Putin said, “Our relations rest on deep historical foundations. Regardless of how we choose to describe Russia-India relations, their deeply substantive essence speaks louder than any praise. We value this highly, and we see that you, Mr Prime Minister, also devote great personal attention to it.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during India - Russia Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on Friday. (DPR PMO/ANI Photo) 
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