In a recent interview on Lex Fridman’s podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that the way to peace in Ukraine is not on the battlefield, but at the negotiating table. He called on both Ukraine and Russia to sit down and talk directly to bring the war to an end after three years.
“I have a good rapport with Russia and Ukraine both. I can sit with President Putin and tell him that this is not the time for war, and I can also tell President Zelensky in a very friendly manner that brother, no matter how many stand with you in the world, there will never be a solution on the battlefield,” PM Modi stated during the podcast.
The Prime Minister admitted that even though Ukraine might have so many talks with its allies, real peace only becomes possible when Ukraine and Russia actually sit around the negotiating table. He added that previously peace talks were a tough task but today there exists a chance to have meaningful and productive talks between the two countries.
“The solution will only be achieved when both Russia and Ukraine sit at the negotiating table. Ukraine can have innumerable meetings with its allies, but it will yield no results. Negotiations need to involve both sides instead. It was difficult to achieve peace in the beginning, but now the situation at hand offers a chance for serious and fruitful talks between Russia and Ukraine,” Modi said.
PM Modi reasserted India’s neutrality towards the war, reiterating that the nation does not support either side but always stands for peace. “There has been a great deal of suffering. Even the global south suffered. The world has been trying to deal with a food, fuel, and fertilizer crisis. So the world community must get together in pursuing peace. Personally, I have always said that I am for peace. I am not on the fence. I have a position and that is peace, and peace is what I work for,” he said.