Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday and reiterated India's position for a peaceful settlement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi-Zelenskyy call comes ahead of the Indian prime minister's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said Zelenskyy briefed Modi about recent developments in Ukraine. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. President Zelenskyy shared his perspective on the recent developments related to Ukraine," it said.
"Prime minister thanked President Zelenskyy and reaffirmed India’s steadfast and consistent position for peaceful settlement of the conflict and support for efforts aimed at earliest restoration of peace. PM reiterated India’s commitment to extend all possible support in this regard," it added.
The leaders also reportedly reviewed the progress of India-Ukraine bilateral ties and discussed steps to enhance cooperation "in all areas of mutual interest".
Zelenskyy's call comes a day after Moscow confirmed Russian President Putin's trip to India in December. Putin will be visiting India later this year as part of the annual India-Russia Summit.
Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin in China. Modi-Putin meet comes amid India's tariff tensions with the United States over Russian oil and defence purchases.
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Accusing India of fuelling Russia's war against Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, hiking the total tariff on Indian imports to 50 per cent.
Modi's interactions with Zelenskyy and Putin come amidst the US's efforts to strike a ceasefire deal between the warring nations. The US president had vowed to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war soon after he assumed office; however, his efforts have reaped no success.
