'India not neutral, it stands for peace': PM Modi on Russia-Ukraine war during meeting with Donald Trump

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump in Washington

During his meeting with US President in Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is not neutral about Russia-Ukraine war.

"India has a stance, and that stance is that of peace. Have firm conviction that two sides have to come on the negotiating table," PM Modi on Russia-Ukraine war," said PM Modi.

PM Modi met the US President in Washington, marking their first meeting since Trump’s return to the White House for a second term.

The PM also hailed Trump's efforts to restore peace. "I am happy that President  Trump has taken the initiative to restore peace. I  have spoken to President Putin, President Zelenskyy. The world thinks India is a neutral country on this issue but India is not neutral, it is on the side of peace," said PM Modi.

Trump also said the US would love to have Russia back in G7. "It was a mistake to kick Russia out," said Trump, as reported by Reuters.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that it was important that Russian President Vladimir Putin understood that the West was “united” as peace talks to end its war with Ukraine begin.

“I don’t know what is exactly on President Putin’s mind, of course,” Rutte told reporters after talks with the alliance’s defence ministers. “He is a strong negotiator, he is very unpredictable, but in the end if we want to get a peace deal we need him there.” Rutte added that Ukraine would be involved in any way whatsoever in any peace deal.