'Ukraine a Matter of Concern, Urged Putin for Direct Talks,' Modi Tells Biden in Virtual Meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi – in a virtual interaction with US President Joe Biden on Monday – talked about the crisis in Ukraine, saying it’s a “matter of concern”, and added that he spoke to the Presidents of both Russia and Ukraine, urging them to talk directly. The prime minister also highlighted India’s humanitarian contributions to the war-torn country in the form of medicines and other aid, saying that New Delhi attached high importance to the safety of the Ukrainian civilian population.

“I spoke with Presidents of Ukraine and Russia over the phone several times; appealed to them for peace and suggested President Putin for direct talks with Ukrainian President,” Modi said at the meet. “Today, our interaction is being held at a time when the situation in Ukraine is a matter of concern. A few weeks back, over 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine, most of them were young students,” the PM said, adding that “on our behalf, we have sent medicines and other relief materials to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries”.

Condemning the Bucha massacre that happened in the northern Ukrainian town earlier this month, PM Modi said that the news of the “killings of innocent civilians in Bucha city was very worrying. We immediately condemned it and demanded a fair investigation”.

The killings of civilians in Bucha outside the capital Kyiv drew international outrage after a mass grave and tied

bodies of people shot at close range were found in the town, which was taken back from Russian forces as

Moscow shifted the focus of the fighting elsewhere. While Kyiv claimed the killings are “war crimes” committed by retreating Russian troops, the Kremlin has categorically denied the allegations related to the murder of civilians, including in Bucha.

The virtual meeting is the first interaction between Biden and Modi since the Russian military offensive in Ukraine on February 24.

Stressing on the India-US bilateral cooperation, PM Modi said that as the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, “we are natural partners”. When I came to Washington in September last year, you said that the India-US partnership can contribute to the solution of many global problems. I completely agree with you. As the world’s two largest and oldest democracies, we are natural partners,” he added.

Biden echoed similar sentiments, saying “US and India relationship continues to grow”. “We share a strong and growing major defence partnership. The majority of our partnership is a deep connection between our people and our shared values. Our friendship and our shared values. I want to welcome India’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine,” the US President added.

Following the meet, the MEA tweeted, “Reviewed our bilateral cooperation, and discussed regional & global developments, including the situation in Ukraine.”

The virtual meeting between the two leaders came hours before the maiden 2+2 dialogue under the new US administration. While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the 2+2 talks, the American team will be headed by US Defence Secretary Llyod Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

A joint press conference has been scheduled at the conclusion of the 2+2. It would be addressed by Singh and Jaishankar along with Austin and Blinken.

(With agency inputs)

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