New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reiterated that only diplomacy and dialogue can solve the Ukraine conflict and said India is ready to contribute to any peace initiative on the issue, even as visiting Italian PM Giorgia Meloni expressed hope that India would play a central role in facilitating negotiations for cessation of hostilities.
In their press statements after holding delegation level talks at Hyderabad House here, PM Modi also said that both sides have decided to elevate their ties to strategic partnership and to further deepen the ties.
On Ukraine, an issue that has led to sharp geopolitical divisions in the world, PM Modi said that following Covid, and the Ukraine crisis, the world, especially the developing nations are affected by the food, fuel and fertiliser crisis.
He said both sides shared their perspectives and concerns on the issue and stressed on joint efforts to tackle it.
He said India’s G20 presidency is stressing on this issue.
“On Ukraine, we have said that only dialogue and diplomacy can solve the issue, and India is ready to contribute to any peace initiative,” PM Modi said.
The Italian PM, in her comments, said “the pandemic and the Russian aggression on Ukraine, has had an impact on the world order based on rules, and on food and energy security.
“I think India can represent countries of Global South,” she stressed.
“Italy’s position is giving full support to the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and I hope India will play a central role in facilitating negotiations for cessation of hostilities,” PM Meloni said.
She said the Bali G20 Summit was important to hold the multilateral community united, and “I hope the Indian presidency can do more”.
She also said that PM Modi “knows he can rely on our cooperation for the G20 summit and our government to further enhance our relations, and I firmly believe there is much we can do together,” she said.
