‘Not an era of war’: How PM Modi has continuously called for peace amid Russia-Ukraine conflict

It’s been 909 days of the Russia-Ukraine war and a resolution seems a distant dream. Several countries have tried to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv but none have succeeded so far. Amid this, India stands out — as it has maintained a fine balance between the two, calling for both sides to resolve their differences and negotiate peace in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a constant supporter of permanent peace in the region and he reiterated this message once again in Poland while addressing the Indian diaspora in the Polish capital. Modi is on a two-day trip to Poland, a first for an Indian leader in four decades and will head to Ukraine on August 23 for a one-day visit.

As we gear up for this historic visit — no Indian prime minister has visited Kyiv — let’s take a closer look at how India and PM Modi have always stood for peace, urging both nations to sort out their differences through dialogue and diplomacy.

Modi’s war and peace message in Poland

Before departing for Poland on August 21, PM Modi in a statement called for an early return to peace and stability and said he would “share perspectives” on a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” Modi said.

Later, addressing the Indian diaspora in Warsaw, Modi said that he was a supporter of peace and reiterated that “this is not an era of war” and any conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

“India is the land of Lord Buddha’s legacy. Therefore, India is an advocate of permanent peace in this region. India’s concept is clear — this is not an era of war… India believes in dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflict,” Modi told the gathering.

In his address, he said, “Today’s India wants to connect with all. Today’s India talks about the development of all. Today’s India is with all and thinks about the interests of all.”

‘War cannot solve problems’

Modi’s message of peace in Poland isn’t the first time that the Indian PM has batted for dialogue in the Russia-Ukraine war. Earlier in July, PM Modi made a visit to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin, a first since the war broke out two years ago.

At the time, PM Modi addressing his ‘dear friend’ Putin had said that peace is “of utmost importance” and a solution to the war in Ukraine “cannot be found on the battlefield”. “I know that war cannot solve problems, solutions and peace talks can’t succeed among bombs, guns and bullets. And we need to find a way to peace through dialogue,” Modi told Putin in televised remarks at the Kremlin.

He had further said: “When innocent children are murdered, one sees them die, the heart pains and that pain is unbearable.”

The Indian leader’s comments came a day after a lethal strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, just one of a series of attacks that killed 37 people in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Modi for visiting Russia, calling the trip a “devastating blow to peace efforts”. “It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world’s largest democracy hug the world’s most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day,” Zelenskyy wrote in a message on social media.

A month before he visited Russia, PM Modi at the G7 summit in Italy’s Apulia also called for a “human-centric” approach to find a solution to the conflict in Ukraine in his sit-down with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He conveyed to the Ukrainian leader that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict and that the way to peace is through “dialogue and diplomacy”.

India abstains from UN vote

New Delhi has also taken a stance of neutrality on the Russia-Ukraine war at international platforms. It abstained from voting in a UN General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

While abstaining, India said that peaceful dialogue was the only way out. India’s permanent representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj , said: “No solution can ever arrive at the cost of human lives”.

Notably, it has also abstained from similar resolutions both at the UNGA and at the UNSC in the past. In fact, in 2022, India abstained on a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that “deplores in the strongest terms” Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine, with New Delhi saying dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes.

Offering a reason for its abstention, India said it did not endorse the harsh language used in the resolution condemning Russia’s actions. It wants to maintain a balance between the Western bloc led by the US, and Russia, since it has strategic partners on both sides.

‘Not an era of war’

Modi has continuously reiterated India’s stance on peace and it all began in September 2022 at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. On the sidelines of the meet, Modi had told Russia’s Vladimir Putin: “I know that today’s era is not an era of war , and I have spoken to you on the phone about this.”

He added, “We’ve spoken to you many times on the phone before on this, that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue — these things help the world. In the coming days, we will get the chance to talk about how to move on to the road to peace, I will also get the chance to better understand your viewpoint.”

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

Modi’s remarks were appreciated the world over, with the United States being heartened by it. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan appreciating the statement by PM Modi told reporters at a White House news conference that what the prime minister said was “a statement of principle on behalf of what he believes is right and just (and) it was very much welcomed by the US.”

United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti also hailed PM Modi’s statement, saying that it “caught the ears of the entire world. What a powerful idea. What a necessary idea”.

It is left to be seen if PM Modi’s message for peace through dialogue and diplomacy is heeded. As of now, it appears that peace is a distant dream as Ukraine and Russia engage in deadly drone attacks, amidst Ukrainian troops’ advance in Russia’s Kursk region.

With inputs from agencies