PM Modi could be a more effective mediator than Erdogan in Ukraine conflict, says Fareed Zakaria

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has provided an opportunity for India to flex its diplomatic muscle by acting as a mediator to bring the regional conflicts to an end, said geopolitical expert Fareed Zakaria, adding that India being a neutral country in foreign policy matters, has the advantage to play a “very viable and constructive role” in the years-long conflict if it wants.

Zakaria said that there are only two leaders in the world who can communicate effectively with both Russia and Ukraine and PM Modi enjoys greater credibility than that of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“The war in Ukraine is frozen. There are very few parties who have the credibility to talk to both sides… If Prime Minister Modi were to propose some kind of situation where he acts as an intermediary, I think he could play a very constructive role… I believe Modi even more than Erdogan,” he said in a conversation with India Today TV’s Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai.

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Ukraine aims to organise a new peace summit by the end of this year and wants Russia to attend this time, its ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday, but ruled out any direct bilateral talks with Moscow at the meeting.

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in its third year, the two countries remain far apart on how to end the war. Turkey, China, Brazil and others have offered to mediate in the conflict or discuss peace proposals, but no progress has been made.