Modi tells Putin in public about his concern over Russian action in Ukraine

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday minced no words in expressing his concern over the Russian action in Ukraine, telling President Vladimir Putin that it was not a time for war.

In an interaction on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan’s ancient city Samarkand, Prime Minister Modi’s worry over the conflict was reflected very clearly.

“I know that today’s era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this,” Modi told Putin at a televised meeting, Reuters reported.

Putin told Modi that he understood his concerns about Ukraine, but that Moscow was doing everything it could to bring the conflict to an end.

“I know your position on the conflict in Ukraine, the concerns that you constantly express,” Putin said. “We will do everything to stop this as soon as possible.”

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that the leaders discussed important issues of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues of interest. Discussions also pertained to global food security, energy security and availability of fertilizers in the context of the challenges emanating from the current geo-political situation.

”In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister reiterated his call for an early cessation of hostilities and the need for dialogue and diplomacy,” it said.

This was the first meeting of the two leaders since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in Febrauray this year.

The (SCO) is an influential regional grouping of India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The summit is taking place amid the growing geo-political turmoil caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and China’s aggressive military posturing in the Taiwan Strait.

—-INDIA NEWS STREAM