PM Modi condemns terrorism during India-Russia talks at Kremlin

New Delhi, July 9: During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day official visit to Russia, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Vladimir Putin for the grand and warm welcome he received.

In a meeting with President Putin on Tuesday, PM Modi said, “I express gratitude to you for this grand welcome and honour. We received an unprecedented victory in the elections in India. I also express gratitude for the greetings that you extended after that. In March, you too registered a grand victory in elections. I extend my greetings to you once again.”

“Held productive discussions with President Putin at the Kremlin today. Our talks covered ways to deliver India-Russia cooperation in sectors such as trade, commerce, security, agriculture, technology, and innovation. We attach great importance to boosting connectivity and people-to-people exchanges,” the PM in a message on X said after the meeting.

PM Modi emphasised India’s commitment to restoring peace and cooperation in resolving global conflicts. “For the restoration of peace, India is ready to cooperate in all possible ways,” he assured President Putin.

Emphasising that India was ready to cooperate in all possible ways for the restoration of peace, media news agencies reported that the PM said, “I assure you and the world community that India is on the side of peace. Listening to you yesterday has given me hope. For new generations to have a bright future, peace is essential.”

PM Modi condemned all forms of terrorism, reflecting on India’s long-standing battle against it. “In the last 40-50 years, India has been facing terrorism. We have been facing it for 40 years, how horrible and disgusting terrorism is. So, when terror incidents occurred in Moscow and when terror incidents occurred in Dagestan, I can imagine how deep its pain would be. I strongly condemn all kinds of terrorism,” he said.

During their discussions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the deaths of innocent children in war, conflict, or terrorist attacks are “very painful”.

Media also reported that PM Modi said, “If innocent children are murdered; if innocent children die, it is heart-wrenching.” He emphasized that a solution to the war in Ukraine “cannot be found on the battlefield ... We have to find peace through talks.”This statement came a day after Ukraine reported a deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv’s main children’s hospital.

He also expressed confidence that the bilateral ties with Russia would continue to strengthen in the coming years. Modi highlighted the critical role of India-Russia cooperation in the energy sector, which has benefited the world during global fuel challenges.

“When the world was facing the challenge of fuels, your support helped us fulfil the petrol and diesel requirements of the common man. Not just this, the world should accept that the India-Russia agreement regarding fuel played a big role in bringing stability to the international market,” he remarked.

Reflecting further on the long-standing relationship between India and Russia, PM Modi noted their frequent interactions over the past decades.

“For the past 2.5 decades, I have had a relationship with Russia and you. We have met 17 times over the past 10 years, and we have had nearly 22 bilateral meetings over the last 25 years. This itself reflects the depth of our relations. I assure you that our upcoming terms will only strengthen our ties further,” he said.

India, a key global economy, maintains close ties with both Russia and the US. The US expressed concerns about India’s engagement with Russia, urging PM Modi to emphasize Ukraine’s territorial integrity during his talks in Moscow. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated, “We would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN charter, that respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed disappointment over PM Modi’s visit, calling it a “devastating blow to peace efforts.”

The meeting between PM Modi and President Putin coincides with the NATO summit in Washington, held to mark the 75th anniversary of the Western defence alliance formed as a bulwark against the Soviet Union. NATO countries have strongly opposed Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. India, while refraining from explicit criticism of President Putin, has consistently called for peace, dialogue, and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

Despite Western sanctions against Russia, India continues to engage in trade and purchase oil from Russia.