Dialogue, diplomacy way forward to resolve conflicts, India’s Modi tells Putin

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that “dialogue and diplomacy” remains the way forward in resolving conflicts, as Ukraine and Iran wars continue.

Modi held talks with Putin in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS bloc summit scheduled for the weekend.

The prime minister held “wide-ranging discussions with President Putin on various aspects of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal wrote on US social media company X.

The “leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in sectors including trade, energy, defense, space and people-to-people ties which remain key focus areas of the enduring India-Russia partnership.”

Jaiswal said the leaders exchanged views on issues of mutual interest in the regional and global sphere, including conflicts in the Middle East and the Black Sea region.

The “PM reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy remains the way forward in resolving conflicts and India stands ready to assist in peace efforts,” the spokesman said.

India's External Affairs Ministry in a separate statement said two leaders “shared perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual interest,” including the conflicts in Middle East and the Black Sea region “which have impacted maritime trade and the safety and security of Indian seafarers.”

Modi in a post on X said he presented Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, which carries the "eternal wisdom" of the Thiruvalluvar, a celebrated ancient Indian poet and philosopher known for writing the classic literary work.

After the talks, both leaders visited the INNOPROM India exhibition, a platform for cooperation between Russia and India. Putin also invited Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit and Modi accepted the invitation, according to Indian officials.

Putin arrived in India’s capital early Friday, and is scheduled to hold a number of meetings on the sidelines of the summit.