New Delhi - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that his country is ready to contribute to peace efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia and that there can be no military solution to the war.

The Prime Minister’s office said in a statement, after a telephone conversation between Modi and Zelensky that, "He expressed his firm conviction that there can be no military solution to the conflict and conveyed India's readiness to contribute to any peace efforts."

PM Modi restated the “importance of respecting the UN Charter, international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states”.

The Prime Minister “emphasised the importance India attaches to the safety and security of nuclear installations, including in Ukraine”. He highlighted that “endangerment of nuclear facilities could have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences for public health and the environment”.

Modi and Zelensky also spoke on important areas of bilateral cooperation, following up on their last meeting in Glasgow in November 2021.

The two leaders last spoke on phone in March, soon after the launch of the Russian invasion on February 24. At that time, Modi expressing deep concern over the conflict and humanitarian crisis said India has “always stood for peaceful resolution of issues and direct dialogue between the two parties”.

PM Modi thanked Ukrainian authorities for their help in evacuating more than 20, 000 Indian citizens from the war-stricken country.

India has refrained from publicly criticising Russia’s actions and has consistently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. At the same time, the democratic country has always called for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.
-Reuters/HT