At a time when the Ukraine War appears to be at a turning point, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on his first visit to Ukraine.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India has come under regular criticism from Western quarters for its stance. While India has called for the cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy from the onset, India has not just continued to purchase discounted Russian oil but has also ramped up the purchase.
Then, in July, Modi arrived in Russia on his first visit in the new term. The visit further turned the tempers up in the West.
Even as many politicians and commentators in the West have slammed India for being cosy with Russia despite it waging a devastating war on Ukraine and plunging Europe into the worst security crisis since the World War II, India has been pressing for dialogue since the onset. Modi has been one of the few leaders in the world who can reach out to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Previously, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar has also said that Modi intervened to get the fighting in Ukraine stopped thrice to facilitate the movement of stranded Indians out of the conflict zone.
Here are the three times Modi made major statements on the Ukraine War.
‘Not an era of war’
In September 2022, after months of criticism, Modi made headlines in the Western press for telling Putin on his face and in full view of the press that he should not be waging a war in Ukraine.
On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan, Modi it was not an era of war and democracy and diplomacy are the way to resolve conflicts.
“I know that today’s era is not of war and we have talked to you many times over the phone on the subject that democracy and diplomacy and dialogue are all these things that touch the world,” said Modi, addressing Putin in front of the press.
Modi further said, “We will definitely get a chance to discuss how we can move onto the path of peace in the coming days, I will also get an opportunity to understand your point of view.”
‘India is not neutral’
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in 2023, Modi said that India was not neutral in the Ukraine conflict.
Modi said that India had taken a side and that was the side of peace.
“Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace. All countries should respect international law and the sovereignty of countries,” said Modi.
Modi also repeated his call for the resolution of all disputes by “diplomacy and dialogue” and not war.
Going a step further than his previous public remarks, Modi indicated that he was open to playing a role in diffusing the crisis. While he did not offer outright mediation, Modi said that “India will do whatever it can” and supports “all genuine efforts to bring an end to the conflict and ensure enduring peace and stability”.
‘Solutions can’t be found on battlefields’
Even in the much-criticised visit to Russia in July, Modi told Putin that war would not achieve anything.
Echoing his remarks in 2022 that today is not the era of war, Modi told Putin in July that solutions cannot be found on the battlefield.
Modi said that peace is “of utmost importance” and a solution to the war in Ukraine “cannot be found on the battlefield”.
Modi further said, “As a friend, I have also said for the brighter future of our next generation, peace is of utmost importance…When innocent children are murdered, one sees them die, the heart pains and that pain is unbearable.”
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