New Delhi: In a significant step on the global stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, May 3, played a global peacemaker and called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.
“We appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and for the adoption of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem,” the Prime Minister said at a press briefing in Copenhagen.
Notably, Modi’s Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped that India would use its influence over Russia to end the war.
“Also talked about the war in Ukraine. Made DK (Denmark’s) and EU’s position clear, and that we would like to see India use its influence with Putin,” said a tweet from Denmark’s Prime Minister’s Office.
Frederiksen hoped that India would influence Russia on Ukraine and asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to “stop this war and end the killings”.
“My message is very clear that Putin has got to stop this war and end the killings. I, of course, hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion,” she said.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two Prime Ministers expressed serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
“They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities,” the statement said.
Both the leaders emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“They discussed the destabilizing effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications. Both sides agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue,” the statement said.
The two Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of the India-EU Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen this partnership.
The two leaders appreciated the progress in the restart of negotiations on India- EU Trade, Investment and Geographical Indicators Agreements.
The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on current regional and global developments, including the situation in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
