Vladimir Putin extends a special New Year message to India, PM Modi

Russian President Valdimar Putin extedned a special New Year message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu on Saturday. Despite the international situations, the relations between the two countries have only been positively developed.

The Russian President also highlighted some of the major developments and India-Russia bilateral cooperation in the outgoing year. He mentioned the rapid growth of trade between the nations along with joint projects in various areas that have been implemented.

He emphasized the collaboration between the two nations to enhance diverse bilateral ties and work together to enhance security and stability on both regional and global fronts.

The document read, “Vladimir Putin praised the results of India’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20 and stressed his conviction that Moscow and New Delhi will continue to develop multifaceted bilateral ties and effectively coordinate efforts to strengthen security and stability at the regional and global levels.”

On December 28, Putin held discussions with the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, who was on an official visit to Moscow from December 25 to 29, as part of the ongoing series of high-level interactions between the two nations. In the meeting, Putin highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s constructive position on major international affairs, including the circumstances in Ukraine.

“We know the stance of Prime Minister Modi and we mentioned that repeatedly on many occasions. Well, his attitude towards some complex developments, including the flashpoints like…in Ukraine,” he noted.

He also shared that he has advised PM Modi on the situation of Ukraine and indicated that the two will get into a deeper discussion regarding the same. PM Modi shows a willingness to resolve the matter peacefully, Putin says. He further expresses gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for keeping a positive and friendly relationship between the two nations regardless of the external factors.

India consistently expressed its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting the necessity for a diplomatic resolution through dialogue. The invasion, initiated by Russia in February 2022, led to a significant loss of lives on both sides. In the midst of the ongoing military conflict, Prime Minister Modi engaged in discussions with both President Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Furthermore, PM Modi had a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Japan during the G7 summit in May 2023. “India and I will do whatever we can to resolve the conflict,” PM Modi said.

New Delhi has actively pursued a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, with Prime Minister Modi conveying to Russian President Vladimir Putin in September that the current era does not favor warfare. This statement garnered appreciation from global leaders and the international media.

PM Modi advised President Putin to work towards a “halt in violence,” emphasizing the imperative for both parties to resume negotiations. In a telephonic discussion with Putin, PM Modi highlighted that, for the time being, Delhi will adopt a stand of strategic ambivalence regarding the Ukraine crisis. This pragmatic decision reflects the intricacies of a realist world and Delhi’s steadfast positions on territorial integrity and sovereignty.