Modi urges Russia for dialogue to resolve Ukraine conflict

New Delhi, Dec 16 (EFE).- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday to adopt dialogue as a way to solve the conflict in Ukraine.

Modi and Putin spoke over telephone conversation in which the two leaders covered bilateral issues.

The Indian leader “reiterated his call for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way forward” in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according toa statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.

“The two leaders reviewed several aspects of the bilateral relationship, including energy cooperation, trade and investments, defence & security cooperation, and other key areas,” the statement said.

Modi underlined the key priorities surrounding the G20 summit, after India assumed the group’s presidency on Dec.1, and said he hoped to continue working with Russia in this year’s India-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The telephone conversation took place amid escalating tensions in the Ukraine conflict, following a new missile attack in Kyiv by the Russian armed forced on Friday.

India maintains a historic alliance with Moscow, one of its main suppliers of military equipment, and has increased purchases of Russian oil.

Since April, India’s purchase of Russian oil has increased from less than two percent to 12-13 percent, making Russia the second-largest supplier of crude oil thanks to the discounts New Delhi has received since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.

This historic relationship explains the Asian country’s neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, having refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion in front of the UN General Assembly.

However, Modi made public his concern about the war in September after meeting with the Russian president. EFE

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